Every scar we have tells a story about an injury, our survival and recovery,
and about the body's ability to heal. The body is designed to repair
itself, but conditions like diabetes or vascular disease can cause wounds
that are persistent and painful.
An estimated 6.7 million people in the U.S. are suffering from chronic
wounds that will not heal on their own.
June is Wound Care awareness month, bringing attention to medical services
which are under-recognized and often misunderstood. Wound care is more
than bandages; it includes high tech solutions and specialized care, all
of which are available to patients close to home in Iredell County.
“We give every new patient a thorough assessment,” said Robin
Cline, clinical coordinator at the Iredell Wound Care and Hyperbaric Center,
part of Iredell Health System. “We follow clinical guidelines that
are proven to promote healing and we customize that treatment to each
patient’s needs.”
Patients with a variety of conditions can get help at the Wound Care Center,
including those with diabetic ulcers, pressure ulcers, burns, bleeding
from the bladder, and more. Some patients need help with complications
after cancer treatment, like Mooresville resident Robert McKenzie.
“I never used the service before and only had a general idea what
the wound care center was for. I didn’t realize everything they
do and who they can help,” said McKenzie.
McKenzie’s treatment plan included time in a hyperbaric chamber,
a state-of-the-art device that pumps 100 percent pure oxygen for the patient
in a pressurized environment. Other advanced treatment methods include
bioengineered skin substitutes and growth factor therapies.
The Iredell Wound Care and Hyperbaric Center takes a holistic approach
to healing, combining the latest technology with finding ways to help
patients that you might not expect.
“We will connect our patients with home health care, wheelchairs,
beds and medical equipment,” said Cline. “Part of our goal
is to make sure they have everything they need to get better.”
The Center is reaching those goals with a heal rate of 92% within 31 days.
In February it was named a Center of Distinction by Healogics Inc. for
the fifth straight year. The Center has received that award for every
year of eligibility since it opened in 2011, and is the only center in
Iredell County to repeatedly earn that recognition.
“All staff at Iredell Wound Care Center work together as a team
and without each one we would not be able to accomplish these goals,”
said Cline.
Cline also said their success is due to more than just medicine because
they treat their patients like family. McKenzie agrees.
“I can’t say enough how wonderful the nursing staff is, especially
their willingness to do anything they can to improve your situation,”
he said. “You don’t know how much their support can help you
until you have it.”
To learn more about the Iredell Wound Care and Hyperbaric Center, call
704-768-0542 or visit
Iredellhealth.org.