Lake Charles Memorial | Medical Milestones | Summer 2023

4 Memorial Medical Milestones • Summer 2023 Helping you heal Give us a call today at 337-284-5796 and get started on your wound-healing journey. You can also email woundcare@lcmh.com. Wound Care Center 1801 Oak Park Boulevard Lake Charles, LA 70601 Where wounds go to Collaboration is key. Patients suffering with lowerleg arterial or venous ulcers may be referred to specialists in radiology and/or vascular surgery, who may be able to provide longer-term relief. Wheelchair patients who experience repeated pressure ulcers may be referred to clinics that can offer pressure mapping, recommend off-loading devices and ensure that the wheelchair is properly fitted to minimize rubbing against or putting pressure on bony prominences. When being treated, lymphedema is addressed, and compression pumps may be ordered. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy may also be an option to speed healing. During and after treatment, patients may be referred to services such as diabetes care or nutrition counseling that can help address the underlying causes of non-healing wounds. If appropriate, family members and caregiver education may take place, teaching how to perform wound care and how to use any prescribed products. heal Have you ever had a wound that was hard to heal? The Lake Charles Memorial Health System Wound Care Clinic is staffed with a team of doctors, nurses and therapists uniquely experienced in the healing of chronic wounds. They have been SWLA’s “wound care detectives” since 1991. It is their mission to figure out why a wound is there and what it takes to heal. And they are good at it. How it works The first step to successful wound treatment is to determine the cause of the wound and what factors may be preventing it from healing. This is why treatment always starts with a complete health history and a thorough evaluation of the wound and area surrounding the wound. In addition to performing a physical examination, patients can expect them to measure and photograph the wound. If there is an infection, tissue cultures—and biopsies, if necessary—will be used to diagnose the cause of the infection and prescribe the most effective medications and/or other treatment options.

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