Lake Hospital System Partners with Diversified Clinical Services for New Wound Care Center

Wound Care Center Scheduled to Open in October 2008.

Lake Hospital System today announced that it has signed a contract with Diversified Clinical Services, the nation's pioneer and leader in wound management services, to develop a Wound Care Center for the treatment of chronic and acute non-healing wounds. Scheduled to open in October 2008, the outpatient center located at LakeWest Hospital will utilize advanced therapies, including two hyperbaric chambers and proven clinical protocols in providing comprehensive, integrated services.

Nationally, approximately seven million people suffer from chronic, open wounds, usually involving the lower extremities. This serious condition can cause significant impairment in the quality of life and even lead to limb amputation. Non-healing wounds frequently occur in the elderly and in people with diabetes, peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and chronic vein disorders such as varicose veins and venous thrombosis and prolonged immobility.

The new Lake Hospital System Wound Care Center will be a critical resource for the community, meeting an important need.

"We're excited to be adding this vital service to our continuum of care," said Josie Jones, director of Behavioral Medicine and Ambulatory Services for Lake Hospital System. "Not only will the Wound Care Center complement the quality care we already provide, but it also can serve as a key adjunct to the practices of our referring physicians -- both of which will positively impact the health of our community."

David Rollins, MD, a Lake Hospital System vascular surgeon, will serve as the Center's medical director. He will be assisted by a team of experienced wound care nurses and physicians, who will devise a unique care plan for each patient, working in partnership with the patient's referring physician.

"Our program is completely devoted to healing problem wounds with state-of-the-art techniques and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. This will allow patients to reclaim their quality of life more quickly than they would with standard wound healing techniques," Dr. Rollins said. "The majority of the patients who are treated at the Center will not require Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy; however, those who do receive the treatment, heal successfully because high concentrations of oxygen in the wound stimulates the body's tissues to accelerate the healing process."

By working with Diversified Clinical Services to develop the center, Lake Hospital System will have access to the company's more than 15 years of experience in opening more than 250 Wound Care Centers across the country. The center will use Diversified Clinical Services' innovative techniques that focus on individual patients needs. The treatment eliminates the cause of the open wound and heals it more rapidly than standard treatments.