Wound Care Awareness Week – What is the chronic wound epidemic?

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Last Updated on June 3, 2019 by cassnetwork

SOURCE: News release from Logansport Memorial Hospital

Millions of people throughout the U.S. are suffering every day from an epidemic that’s only expected to grow over the next decade. This problem drastically affects people by diminishing their overall quality of life and potentially decreasing life expectancy if left untreated. Not only is this condition painful, dangerous and scary, but it is also estimated to cost the healthcare industry over $50 billion a year. We are talking about chronic wounds.

Every year, these non-healing wounds affect approximately 6.7 million people in the U.S. and the incidence is expected to rise at a rate of two percent annually over the next decade. An aging population and increasing rates of diseases and conditions such as diabetes, obesity and vascular disease contribute to the chronic wound epidemic. If left untreated, chronic wounds can lead to diminished quality of life and possible amputation of the affected limb. Approximately 30 percent of untreated chronic wounds result in amputation, and five-years post-amputation the mortality rate is 50 percent.

Fortunately, there is hope for people who suffer from chronic wounds. Every team member within the vast Healogics network of Wound Care Centers® dedicates themselves every day to healing and caring for people with hard-to-heal wounds. Patients in Logansport and Cass County have access to a state-of-the-art Wound Care Center right here at Logansport Memorial Hospital, provided in partnership with Healogics. The expertise of the Logansport Memorial Wound Care Center’s specially trained providers allows us to treat a variety of chronic wounds and heal patients as effectively as possible. Earlier this year, the LMH Wound Care Center was named a Center of Distinction among the 621 eligible Centers across the Healogics network of Wound Care Centers because of the documented high patient satisfaction scores and high healing rate, reported at 92% and 91% respectively.

“We are proud that the partnership between Logansport Memorial Hospital and Healogics has brought the expertise, experience, and resources needed for top-tier wound care directly to this community,” comments Leslie Schwab, RN, MSN, Program Director for the Logansport Memorial Wound Care Center. “When we are able to work closely with a patient to diagnose their problem and achieve healing for them, it is something we truly all celebrate together. Our patients are very important to us and we often get to know them well during their ongoing treatments. Watching their quality of life improve as they recover from a wound that was difficult to heal is very rewarding for us. Wound care can be a service that is needed but not always known about, and we want everyone who needs us to know we are here and we can help you heal.”

Wound Care Awareness Week, June 3 – 7, is an opportunity for us to educate patients, caregivers and physicians about chronic wounds and advanced wound care treatment options. If you or a loved one is experiencing a chronic non-healing wound, we would love for you to find the relief you deserve. Join us in our mission to raise awareness of the chronic wound epidemic and the benefits of advanced wound care. For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact the Logansport Memorial Wound Care Center at (574) 753-1331.

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