Award-winning Center Heals Wounds and Changes Lives
(Ottumwa, IA) - Eight million Americans suffer from chronic wounds. With an aging population, increase in diabetes, and obesity epidemic, more people are incurring hard-to-heal wounds and are at risk for amputations. A chronic or hard-to-heal wound is one that does not respond to normal medical care within 30 days. The variety and complexity of chronic wounds requires specialized care
Ottumwa Regional Health Center partners with Diversified Clinical Services, Inc. (DCS) to provide specialized treatments through the Wound Healing Center. Tom Siemers, CEO of Ottumwa Regional said, “We’re glad to have the resources at the hospital to provide great care for those who need this important service.” Indicating the community need, the Wound Healing Center has obtained average healing rates of 91% percent in 30 days for the twelve consecutive months. Patients who have been immobilized by chronic wounds for months, and sometimes years, are grateful to find help, “I can’t say enough about the staff,” said patient, Joyce Longaker, “Now that I’m healed, I am enjoying shows at the Bridgeview Center and shopping with my sister.” A critical component of Longaker’s healing process was hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). HBOT accelerates the process of healing by enabling patients to breathe 100 percent oxygen in pressurized chambers. It is recognized as an important adjunct therapy in the treatment of hard-to- heal wounds and amputation prevention. Because of the Wound Care Center’s high patient satisfaction, exceptional healing rates and outstanding clinical outcomes, DCS presented the Center of Distinction Award today to Program Director, Hollie Tometich and her team. “I’m honored, “ said Tometich. “It’s a privilege to be part of a great collaborative effort between the hospital and DCS. Together, we are able to heal patients in the Ottumwa community and help them get back to living their lives.”
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