Basic HTML Version
WOUND CARE
To learn about additional specialty
clinics and services at CMH, visit
www.columbiamemorial.org
.
CMH Health Compass
is published quarterly by Columbia Memorial Hospital, 2111 Exchange St., Astoria, OR, 97103. Issue No. 2 of 4.
WOUND
healing should
occur naturally.
But when it
doesn’t, serious
complications
can occur,
including
infection,
gangrene and
even loss of
a limb. That’s why Columbia
Memorial Hospital (CMH) now
offers a comprehensive Wound Care
Clinic.
The Wound Care Clinic provides
the most comprehensive and
compassionate wound care available,
and it also offers advanced clinical
approaches to wound management.
Whether you have diabetes, have
poor circulation or live with a
medical condition that affects the
natural wound-healing process, the
combination of medical expertise
and state-of-the-art treatment can
get you on the path to better healing.
The center uses a holistic approach
to promote healing and get patients
back to their day-to-day lives.
Whether faced with a highly
complex wound that requires
multidisciplinary care or a chronic
wound that requires consistent
People who have diabetes may also
get ulcers on their feet. These open
sores or wounds usually form for
more than one reason, including poor
circulation and not having feeling in
the feet. High blood glucose levels
lessen the body’s ability to heal itself
and increase the risk of infection.
Any break in the skin from ulcers,
abrasions, or incisions can allow
Be aware of diabetes-related foot ulcers
CMH opens Wound Care Clinic
therapy, the Wound Care Clinic
at CMH is able to help you with
the appropriate assessment and
treatment necessary, all in one
comfortable, convenient location.
A plan may include options such
as:
w
Surgery.
w
Antibiotics
or other
medications.
w
Negative
pressure
treatment.
w
Topical therapies.
w
Compression garments.
w
Prosthetics or orthotics to
enhance off-loading, mobility and
quality of life.
Other leading-edge treatments
at the center include bioengineered
tissues, total contact casting and
growth factor therapies.
Patients can refer themselves or
get a referral from their physician.
Most treatments are covered by
private insurance plans, HMOs,
Medicare and Medicaid. The Wound
Care Clinic will evaluate a wound
and review a patient’s history before
recommending a treatment. Tests
may also
be done
to check
blood flow
and tissue
oxygenation
and to detect infection.
Supervised by Lisa D. Harris,
a wound care-certified (WCC)
nurse, the clinic is on the third floor
of the CMH Health & Wellness
PAVILION. Hours of operation
are Monday through Friday, from
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. To schedule an
appointment at the Wound Care
Clinic, call
503-338-4523.
an infection to develop. Infections in
wounds can spread to the bloodstream
and other organs. Serious infections
can involve the whole body and require
intensive care—and may even lead to
organ failure or death.
Treatments are available
Treatments for infected wounds vary
depending on the kind of wound, its
cause and the degree of infection.
Treatments include:
ww
Debridement—removing dead skin
and tissue from the wound.
ww
Application of special dressings that
absorb drainage and promote healing.
ww
Surgical interventions, including skin
transplantation.
For more information, see your
family physician or visit us on the web at
www.columbiamemorial.org.
Lisa D. Harris,
RN
2
q
call us at 503-325-4321