WVUH-East to offer new wound care service - WOWK 13 Charleston, Huntington WV News, Weather, Sports

WVUH-East to offer new wound care service

Posted: Updated:

  • Local NewsLocal News

  • Family escapes fire in East Bank

    Tuesday, May 21 2013 12:18 PM EDT2013-05-21 16:18:28 GMT
    Three people were inside this burning home but managed to get out safely.
    Firefighters are battling a massive fire in East Bank in Kanawha County. A house on Walnut Street went up in flames around 5:15 a.m. Firefighters said two people were home at the time but managed to
    Three escape massive fire in a home on Walnut Street in Kanawha County

  • Health Care

  • Thursday, May 23 2013 6:30 AM EDT2013-05-23 10:30:08 GMT
    More than a decade in the making and it's not over yet for the state's tobacco litigation cases.
    More than a decade in the making and it's not over yet for the state's tobacco litigation cases.

  • Tuesday, May 21 2013 1:14 PM EDT2013-05-21 17:14:28 GMT
    The Warren T. Anderson, M.D. Center for Cardiac Care features three cardiac catheterization laboratories, 14 pre- and post-procedure rooms, a stress lab and two nuclear cameras.
    The Warren T. Anderson, M.D. Center for Cardiac Care features three cardiac catheterization laboratories, 14 pre- and post-procedure rooms, a stress lab and two nuclear cameras.

  • Sunday, May 19 2013 7:00 PM EDT2013-05-19 23:00:45 GMT
    CHARLESTON, WV (AP) — A pregnancy center that counsels women not to have abortions has moved next door to a women's health facility in Charleston that provides abortions. Woman's Choice offers free counseling
    A pregnancy center that counsels women not to have abortions has moved next door to a women's health facility in Charleston that provides abortions.
    •   

A minor cut or scratch poses little problem for most.

But for some 5 million Americans who do not have the ability to heal properly due to poor blood circulation from diabetes, paralysis, or other problems, a simple sore or cut can result in serious infections, gangrene and even amputation.

West Virginia University Hospitals-East will open the Center for Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine at City Hospital Nov. 5, WVUH recently announced.

According to its news release, the center will offer a comprehensive approach for treating patients with non-healing sores and wounds

The center features four patient rooms with chairs that can accommodate patients up to 600 pounds and stretchers for patients up to 700 pounds. 

"This is important because we will be able to serve populations that weren't able to be served before in our area," said center director Ginna Reep.

The news release states the program is part of a new network of facilities across the country specializing in the comprehensive treatment of chronic sores and wounds.

Physician specialties include general surgery, critical care medicine, infectious disease, orthopedics, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, and podiatry.

The clinical staff, including registered nurses and physicians, will assess each patient looking at underlying causes that lead to chronic sores and wounds.  These causes include diabetes, trauma, paralysis, and circulatory problems.  After each assessment, the treatment plan is then individualized to meet the specific needs of that patient.

The Center for Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine at City Hospital also uses a hyperbaric chamber, which is a sealed unit that provides super-high levels of oxygen for areas of the body where there is not enough. 

The WVUH-East Center for Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine is on the first floor of City Hospital.  Center hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.