Hospital Relocates and Expands Wound Care Center

State of the Art Facility Provides Advanced Therapies to Treat Problem Wounds

Frankfort, KY (January 13, 2009) - Frankfort Regional Medical Center announced today the opening of its new Wound Care Center. Located in Suite 108 of the Frankfort Medical Pavilion at 279 King's Daughters Drive next to the hospital, the program specializes in the treatment of problem wounds, a growing problem spurred by the aging of America and the increase in diabetes. Approximately 18.5 million American have diabetes and of that population, about 1.8 million will suffer from a problem wound.

The Wound Care Center & Hyperbaric Medicine at Frankfort Regional Medical Center is an out-patient, hospital-based program that works in conjunction with the patient's primary care physician, serving as an adjunctive service for the referring physician and specializing in the treatment of problem wounds. Open Monday through Friday from 8:00am - 5:00pm, the program operates by appointment.

Frankfort Regional Medical Center worked with Diversified Clinical Services, the nation's pioneer and leader in wound management to develop the new Center. By partnering with Diversified Clinical Services, Frankfort Regional Medical Center is able to provide advanced treatments that radically speed the wound healing process. The previous location of the Wound Care Center was on the 4th floor of the hospital and worked with four patient rooms. The new Center provides over 3,800 square feet on the first floor of the medical pavilion for greater patient convenience, and allows for 40 patient appointments per day (32 wound care and eight hyperbaric oxygen).

Perhaps one of best features is that the Center will house two new Hyperbaric Oxygen chambers. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a procedure in which a patient breathes 100 percent oxygen while relaxing in a pressurized chamber. This delivers high concentrations of oxygen to the blood stream and the wound bed, which rapidly accelerates the healing process. The chambers are scheduled to be delivered later this month and will be operational by February. With the addition of the Hyperbaric Oxygen Chambers, Wound Care Center now offers a comprehensive program to manage problem wounds caused by diabetes, circulatory problems, and other conditions.

Willis McKee, M.D. serves as the Medical Director of the program. Dr. McKee is assisted by a team of experienced wound care physicians, all of whom have advanced training in wound management, including John Fricker, DPM, podiatry, and Gary Witucki, DO, family practice.

Each physician will coordinate an overall care plan for each patient, working in partnership with the patient's referring physician. "We are excited to expand our Center and the wound care services we offer", said Dr. McKee. "Our entire multidisciplinary team of physicians and nurses are trained to provide comprehensive treatment and care."

"Our program is completely devoted to healing problem wounds, and helping our patients to reclaim their quality of life", said Susan Richardson, Program Director. "The majority of the patients who are treated at the program will not require Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy; however, those who do receive the treatment, have high healing rates because the process delivers high concentrations of oxygen to the blood stream and the wound bed, which rapidly accelerates the healing process."

For most people, cuts and scratches heal within days or weeks. But for those whose natural healing process is hampered, a simple sore can become a complex medical problem requiring specialized care. The professional and caring staff at the Wound Care Center at Frankfort Regional Medical Center offer hope to patients whose wounds have been maintained for many years without healing.

For more information about programs and services offered at Frankfort Regional Medical Center, call our 24/7 physician referral and health information line at (877) FRMC-MD1 ((877) 376-2631) or (502) 226-1655.