Saint Francis Hospital opens wound healing center

Last year alone, 86,000 patients with diabetes lost limbs because of wounds that would not heal. Thousands more without diabetes lost limbs because of accidents that caused wounds that would not heal. 

It seems like the phrase, “Time Heals All Wounds” applies to everything except actual wounds. The truth is that without advanced therapies, some wounds can take years or even decades to heal, while others that do not respond to treatment may even lead to amputation. This is especially true in patients who have Diabetes or have bone or tissue injuries from accidents or other conditions. 

Saint Francis Hospital in Evanston, IL today announced that has opened a comprehensive Wound Healing Center to treat patients who suffer from chronic, hard-to-heal wounds. The new Center will offer the most state-of-the-art wound healing care, including hyperbaric oxygen therapy. 

With the rising rate of diabetes, there is a great need for a specialized care center that can treat the ulcers associated with the disease as well as help patients with other skin, bone and tissue conditions caused by illness or injury.  The healing center is spearheaded by Chris Costas, M.D., and Janice Fletcher, R.N. 

To establish the center, Saint Francis Hospital partnered with Florida-based National Healing Corporation, which manages wound healing centers nationwide and has a track record of healing 80 percent of the chronic wounds it treats within 12 to16 weeks of therapy.  The centers have helped many patients keep limbs that might otherwise be amputated, with a rate of limb amputation for non-responsive wounds as less than two percent. Likely candidates for treatment are those who suffer from any of the following: 

* Wounds that haven’t healed within 30 days
* Diabetic ulcers
* Pressure ulcers
* Infections
* Compromised skin grafts and flaps

Additionally, the center’s hyperbaric oxygen chambers can treat patients suffering from any of the following uncommon ailments:

* Gangrene
* Carbon monoxide poisoning
* Decompression sickness (“The bends”)
* Cyanide poisoning
* Brown recluse spider bites

The Center accepts most insurance plans. The Wound Healing Center can be reached by calling 1-847-316-HEAL.

For more information call Margo Schafer at 847-316-4000.