The Center for Wound Management Moves to Convenient New Location on MVH Campus

Chances are that sometime in your life you’ve had a wound that healed promptly and the only reminder may be a small scar. According to national statistics, approximately 6 million Americans suffer from non-healing wounds caused by diabetes, poor circulation, pressure, infection, renal failure, poor nutrition and other conditions such as lymphedema where excess fluid collects in the tissue causing swelling. Unlike normal wounds that the body can heal, chronic or traumatic open wounds show no signs of healing over several weeks. However with proper treatment and guidance, even the most persistent wounds could be healed.

Monongahela Valley Hospital’s Center for Wound Management, which is designed to treat patients with chronic, non-healing wounds on an outpatient basis, recently became even more convenient to visit. In mid July, the Center moved from the fourth floor of the hospital to newly designed space on the first floor of the Charles L. and Rose Sweeney Melenyzer Pavilion and Regional Cancer Center.

HBOT
Monongahela Valley Hospital’s Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy units were moved from the hospital to the first floor of the Charles L. and Rose Sweeney Melenyzer Pavilion to provide more convenient access to patients and their families.

The new facilities are part of MVH’s $25 million construction project that not only included the new space for the Center for Wound Management, but four new state-of-the-art operating suites which opened earlier this year.

“At Monongahela Valley Hospital, we treat the whole person when they come to us for care — including their medical and physical needs,” said Louis J. Panza, president and CEO. “People in the Valley and surrounding communities have the most comprehensive, modern and compassionate wound care available and it is very easy for them to access.”

The Center for Wound Management offers management of various types of ulcers, skin complications and complex surgical wounds. MVH’s skilled physicians and certified wound management nurses provide advanced wound technology procedures, compression therapy, dressing changes, wound grafting, routine follow-up and care, assessments of nutritional status, social service needs in relation to changes in life patterns and patient/family education. MVH also offers Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT), a highly effective treatment option which is designed to help heal wounds that are particularly problematic.

“Our medical team works with each person to determine the underlying cause of his or her wounds and we create an individualized treatment plan, care for the wound, and reduce the risk of future occurrences,” said Annette Necciai, ET, RN, the Center’s certified wound ostomy nurse. ”Each patient has an interdisciplinary team available to them comprised of multiple physician specialists, nutritionists, physical therapy consultants and visiting nurses to help better manage the treatment of the wound. Family members are included in the patient’s individualized care plan and receive education on providing the proper care at home.”

Ms. Necciai added,” Every wound is unique and every patient heals differently and that is why it is important to get follow-up care for chronic wounds.

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