January 24, 2008

Expert Wound Care: Mercy Wound Center Provides Specialized Services

Time doesn’t necessarily heal all wounds. Sometimes expert intervention is also necessary. Fortunately for the Siouxland area, the Mercy Wound Center provides specialized, state-of-the-art evaluation and treatment of a wide range of wounds.

Dedicated in 2005, the Mercy Wound Center is experienced in treating patients with chronic wounds, those caused by traumatic injury, burns, venous arterial insufficiency and vascular disorders, as well as diabetic ulcers, pressure ulcers, and post-surgical wounds.

The outpatient center’s patients benefit from a wide range of treatment options, depending on their individual needs. When appropriate, treatment is coordinated and integrated with consultations with Mercy’s Diabetes Education program, the hospital’s Infectious Disease Clinic, and other specialty clinics and departments.

Dr. Paul Johnson, an experienced general surgeon in practice with Midlands Clinic in Dakota Dunes, serves as medical director for the Mercy Wound Center.

“The center fills an important niche in the region by offering specialized wound treatment at a time when there is a growing demand for those services because of the increased prevalence of diabetes and other conditions that can cause chronic wounds,” Johnson said. “What’s more, we are highly successful in providing those specialized services. The Mercy Wound Center realizes outstanding clinical outcomes for its patients. Statistically, our outcomes are better than the national average.”

Since it was founded more than two years ago, the Mercy Wound Center has continued to evolve in order to better serve patients in the larger region around Sioux City.

Not only does Dr. Johnson see patients at the center two days a week, but the recent addition of a board certified mid-level provider, Mike Garrett, ARNP, has allowed the outpatient center to serve more patients and better coordinate and oversee their care.

“We are taking the time and consciously working to provide outstanding customer service,” Garrett said. “First and foremost, we want to bring patients with chronic wounds the reduced pain and improved comfort that comes with healing. We do everything we can to encourage and expedite that healing process.”

“At the same time, we follow-up with the patient’s physician or provider to make sure there is very good coordination of care,” Garrett added.

Along with Dr. Johnson, and Nurse Practitioner Garrett, two registered nurses who are board certified in wound care serve the center’s patients. Those WOC (Wound Ostomy Continence) nurses, average 18 years of experience.

For patients with chronic or traumatic wounds, burns, venous arterial insufficiency, or diabetic or pressure ulcers, the Mercy Wound Center offers not only help, but also hope. With healing comes comfort, and a better state of mind.

“It is our mission to provide that kind of quality care and to address needs where we see them,” Garrett noted. “We are here to help people – one patient at a time.”

The Mercy Wound Center is located on the fifth (ground) floor of the North Hospital Building on the medical center’s main campus. That location offers patients quick, easy access at the hospital’s Jones Street entrance where free valet parking services are available.

The Mercy Wound Center is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

If you think you might benefit from the specialized services of the Mercy Wound Center, talk to your doctor or healthcare provider. A physician referral is first needed. Or, for more information, call the center at (712) 279-2512 or visit the center’s Web page at www.mercymedicalclinics.org.