Wound Clinic News & Notes

Wound Clinics Promoting ‘Wound Care Awareness Week’

A number of wound clinics across the country are promoting the fourth annual “Wound Care Awareness Week” (June 5-9) through a host of activities, events, and education through their management company Healogics^TM (Jacksonville, FL). Among the participating facilities are the Advanced Wound Healing Center at Carlisle (PA) Regional Medical Center; the Wound Care Center at Harris Regional Hospital, Sylva, NC; HaysMed Wound Healing Center, Hays, KS; the Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Oxygen Center at Dignity Health Chandler (AZ) Regional Medical Center; the Wound Care Center and Hyperbaric Services at Atrium Medical Center, Middletown, OH; and South Central Regional Medical Center, Laurel, MS.

Wisconsin Hospital Opens Wound Clinic

Stoughton (WI) Hospital has opened a new wound care clinic as part of recent renovations, according the website ConnectStoughton.com. According to the report,

Aaron Schwaab, MD, who runs the clinic, introduced the idea in July 2016 when he joined the hospital, which did not previously offer specialized wound care. Today, the clinic is one of few in Dane County. The hospital previously refered patients to their primary doctors for treatment. The clinic now offers individualized care plans and patient education in the management and prevention of wounds, according to hospital officials.

Wound Clinic Names Medical Director

The wound healing department at Sierra View Medical Center (SVMC; Porterville, CA) has appointed Russell Dounies, MD, to the position of medical director, according to the Porterville Recorder. “We are very excited to welcome Dr. Dounies to his new role of medical director for the wound healing department at Sierra View Medical Center,” said Jeffery Hudson, DNP, RN, vice president for patient care services and chief nurse executive at SVMC. “He will play a crucial role not only in providing care, but supporting primary and specialty physicians in managing their patients with wound management and healing.” Dounies began his role with the nationally awarded unit May 1. He will directly impact patient care and oversee wound management by making clinical decisions to determine the best care options.

After receiving his medical degree in 1984 from Loma Linda University, Dounies completed his medical training at Kern Medical Center (Bakersfield, CA). He also trained at the University of California, according to the report. For 14 years, Dounies practiced as a general surgeon in Visalia, CA, where he began to specialize in breast cancer and melanoma treatment as well as oncoplastic surgery — an evolving practice that combines oncology with plastic surgery methods to ensure the best medical outcome as well as functional and cosmetic care for patients.

“Dr. Dounies has a long-standing relationship as a leader within the local healthcare community and is a trusted physician by many that would regard him as an exceptional provider,” said Geoffrey Empey, SVMC wound healing department program director. He has a desire to promote wound healing and inform the medical community as well as citizens at risk for different diseases associated with chronic wounds, and will use his long-standing relationships to create a multifaceted approach to healthcare within the community.”

Wound Clinic Conducting Trial With Aurix System

Staff members and clinicians at the Wound Center of Niagara at Niagara Falls (NY) Memorial Medical Center are participating in a unique trial for the treatment of foot ulcers, venous ulcers, pressure sores, and other chronic wounds. According to a report by the Buffalo News, the clinic is at the front end of a phase-3 trial for the use of Aurix^TM (Nuo Therapeutics Inc., Gaithersburg, MD). The process removes a small portion of a patient's blood, spins it in a centrifuge, separates plasma and growth factors, and mixes it into a gel that can be directly applied to wounds. The clinic, directed by Aaron Wilson, is one of 30 nationwide participating in the study, according to the report. The next closest trials are reportedly taking place in Ohio and Poughkeepsie. For more information, visit www.nuot.com/aurix-system.