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Diabetic Wound Care

Health, Wellness & You
Thursday, October 22, 2009

 

Wound Care Close to Home
Diabetes affects approximately 23.6 million Americans and these numbers are increasing. Right here in Jefferson County approximately seven percent of the population is affected by a diagnosis of diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Diabetes can be associated with several health complications if the condition is left untreated, including non-healing wounds. This is typically seen in the form of a diabetic foot ulcer.
 
Diabetic foot ulcers are open sores or wounds and affect approximately 15 percent of those with diabetes. Left untreated, a diabetic foot ulcer is the leading case for non-traumatic lower extremity amputations. In fact, a major reason for hospitalizations of diabetics is foot infections due to untreated wounds. Fortunately, these ulcers can be treated through proper medical care. Early intervention leads to faster healing which results in less chance of an infection. Evidence has shown that when a diabetic patient is evaluated and managed within a comprehensive wound care program, success rates of wound healing without complications can improve dramatically. 
 
Expert wound care can be found right here in Jefferson County. The Fort HealthCare Wound & Edema Center, located in Johnson Creek, provides comprehensive wound care treatment, including hyperbaric oxygen therapy. A team of experts work hand-in-hand with primary care providers to assist patients in caring for and managing these wounds. The Wound & Edema Center provides an array of services from evaluation and patient education to aggressive treatments for wound healing.
 
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Fort HealthCare’s Wound & Edema Center accepts referrals from primary care providers, surgeons, podiatrists, and other medical personnel. Contact your primary care provider if you have a non-healing wound to determine if a referral to a wound care program is right for you. The Fort HealthCare Wound & Edema Center can be contacted by calling (920) 699-4245.
 
To find out more information about diabetic foot care, join Fort HealthCare on Saturday, November 14th for a community health fair at Fort Memorial Hospital. The focus of the fair will be diabetes. There will be free health screenings including foot health, blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar from 9-11 a.m. Diabetic experts will be on hand to answer questions and provide educational handouts. Information related to living a healthy lifestyle will also be available. A representative of from Fort HealthCare’s Health Promotion Department will describe the community wellness program, Well Ways. The program offers vouchers enabling participants to receive a free fasting lipid panel and blood glucose at the Fort Memorial Hospital Lab. Door prizes and a special kids’ area will also be part of the morning activities. The fair concludes with a presentation by Katy O’Brien, RN, CLC. “Living a Happy and Healthy Life” will begin at 11 a.m. in the Fort Memorial Hospital Auditorium. Visit www.FortHealthCare.com for more information.