Hillsdale Hospital opened a new advanced wound care center, becoming the only facility in the county to treat non-healing wounds with oxygen.
Hillsdale Hospital opened its Center for Advanced Wound Care & Hyperbaric Medicine on Wednesday.
According to Hillsdale Hospital Director of Marketing Rachel Lott, the center will increase the hospital’s services in treating non-healing wounds such as foot ulcers, wounds caused by pressure, and surgical wounds. Underlying conditions such as diabetes, circulation problems, or previous radiation treatment may complicate non-healing wounds, according to the hospital’s website.
This will be the only center like this in the county, according to Lott.
“We know there is a need in our community for wound care. We already had a wound care program,” Lott said. “And we wanted to be able to expand that and offer additional services to our community and our patients.”
One of the new features offered is a pressurized oxygen chamber, which can promote healing wounds through a process known as hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
“Patients can watch TV and listen to music in the chamber,” she said.
Patients who are prescribed HBO typically require treatment five days a week for two-hour sessions, according to a hospital press release.
Lott said the hospital has worked on the project fort for more than a year. The center will occupy a newly renovated suite on the third floor, according to Lott.
Besides a few hires for support roles, the hospital will use existing personnel to run the center, including Norris March, a general surgery specialist; Abedelkarim Abushmaies, who specializes in vascular surgery; and Maria Bidny, a podiatrist.
“We have a multiple-disciplinary approach to this, which is part of what makes it a more advanced form of care for our patients,” Lott said.
The center will be open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, which will give a lot more access to patients, according to Lott.
In addition to treating existing patients, primary care providers will be able to refer new patients with non-healing wounds to the center, she said.
Lott said potential new patients can call or contact the center directly if they are interested in treatment at the center, and the hospital can work with them on the next steps.
“We are continuing to bring specialty care to our community,” she said. “This center is just another example of our commitment to our community.”
