RMH Wound Care Center Aims to Raise Awareness of Diabetic Foot Ulcers

ROCKINGHAM – The Wound Care Center at FirstHealth Richmond Memorial, a member of the national Healogics network, is participating in the Healogics National Diabetes Campaign Oct. 24-28.  

One of nearly 800 Healogics-managed centers, the Richmond Memorial Hospital program offers advanced therapies to patients suffering from chronic wounds such as diabetic foot ulcers. Team members across the nation will dedicate the entire week to visiting local physician offices to provide education on the treatment of potential or existing chronic wounds for people also suffering from diabetes.

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

About 29.1 million people in the United States are currently living with diabetes, and nearly 28 percent are undiagnosed. Of those 29.1 million, about 25 percent will eventually develop a foot ulcer, which can impair quality of life and could lead to amputation if left untreated.

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

• Stop smoking immediately
• Have comprehensive foot examinations each time you visit your health care provider (at least four times a year)
• Do daily self-inspections of the feet or have a family member perform the inspection
• Schedule regular foot care that includes cleaning toenails and taking care of corns and calluses
• Choose supportive, proper footwear (shoes and socks)
• Take steps to improve circulation such as eating healthier and exercising on a regular basis

FirstHealth Richmond Wound Care & Hyperbarics, which has provided wound care treatment in the Richmond County community since 2006, has been recognized for its outstanding patient satisfaction scores  (98 percent) as well as for a healing rate (96.4 percent) that is above national benchmark.

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