RMH Wound Care to Take Part in Diabetic Foot Ulcer Awareness Campaign

David Strom, M.D.

ROCKINGHAM – FirstHealth Wound Care & Hyperbarics at FirstHealth Richmond Memorial Hospital, a member of the Healogics network, is participating in the Oct. 26-30 Healogics National Diabetes Campaign to raise awareness of diabetic foot ulcers.

Program directors across the nation will dedicate the entire week to visiting local physician offices to provide education to help staff identify diabetic patients with or at risk of having lower-extremity ulcers.

Currently, about 29.1 million people in the United States are living with diabetes and nearly 28 percent of them are undiagnosed. Of that number, about 25 percent will develop a diabetic foot ulcer, which, if left untreated, can impair quality of life and may lead to amputation.

Early detection and intervention can help lessen the possibility of limb loss.

One of nearly 800 Healogics-managed centers, the Richmond Memorial program offers advanced therapies to patients suffering from chronic wounds like diabetic foot ulcers. The Richmond Memorial program has been designated a Center of Excellence by Healogics Inc.

“Diabetics represent about 60 percent of non-traumatic lower limb amputations among people 20 years of age and older,” says David Strom, M.D., medical director of FirstHealth Wound Care & Hyperbarics.  “That’s why it’s important for people with diabetes, their caregivers and physicians to recognize the warning signs of diabetic foot ulcers and seek proper treatment as soon as an ulcer occurs.”

Dr. Strom recommends the following to help prevent diabetic foot ulcers:

•          Annual foot examinations by a health care provider
•          Daily self-inspections of the feet or having a family member perform the inspection
•          Regular foot care including cleaning toenails and taking care of corns and calluses
•          Supportive, proper footwear (shoes and socks)
•          Taking steps to improve circulation such as eating healthier and exercising on a regular basis

The staff of FirstHealth Wound Care & Hyperbarics is specially trained to monitor, manage and treat chronic non-healing wounds. To schedule an appointmentwith FirstHealth Wound Care & Hyperbarics, call (910) 417-3636. Self-referrals are accepted. For more information about the services the program provides, visit www.firsthealth.org/wound.