The Nash Wound Care Center was recently honored as a Center of Distinction by Diversified Clinical Services, making it one of only 140 centers in the country to earn this recognition. The Center was honored for its high patient satisfaction scores and outstanding clinical outcomes over the last 12 months. The Nash Wound Care Center, located on the Nash Health Care campus, is an outpatient program that utilizes hyperbaric oxygen therapy to help problem wounds heal—treatment that can save a limb from amputation

“We are thrilled to accept this award,” said Larry Chewning, president and CEO of Nash Health Care. “We had the foresight to understand that an aging population, an increase in diabetes, and an obesity epidemic would create a tremendous demand for specialized wound care services, and we are pleased that this center is meeting a great and growing community need.”

In order to earn the award, the Nash Wound Care Center had to demonstrate a patient satisfaction ranking of greater than 95 percent and heal wounds in less than 35 days.
“This award represents the excellent care given by our physicians and health care professionals at the center,” said Sterling Grimes, program director. “Not only are they dedicated to providing superior health care services, but they tailor treatment plans to fit each individual patient’s needs. I am very fortunate to be able to work with such a wonderful group of professionals.”

When a wound fails to heal, serious complications can occur. The wound area may be at risk of gangrene, which could ultimately lead to amputation. Gangrene is a condition where skin tissue has died due to poor circulation. Problem wounds are much more common among those with diabetes and heart disease, as well as any condition that affects circulation and inhibits the skin's ability to heal itself.

In fact, approximately 18.5 million Americans have diabetes, and of that population, about 1.8 million will suffer from a problem wound. The Nash Wound Care Center utilizes hyperbaric oxygen therapy—including hyperbaric oxygen chambers-- in order to help problem wounds heal.

A hyperbaric oxygen chamber is an enclosed chamber into which oxygen is pumped. The oxygen in a hyperbaric chamber is at a higher concentration and pressure than oxygen normally inhaled. Patients in a hyperbaric chamber are inhaling higher-concentration oxygen, which stimulates the growth of blood vessels---an absolute necessity in helping skin to heal and form healthy tissue again.

Problem wounds are also more prevalent among the elderly, the obese, and those of African-American or Hispanic ethnicity. In addition, one in four African-Americans over age 65 are diabetic. Around 20 percent of Hispanics over age 20 are diabetic. These staggering numbers caused health care leaders and physicians at Nash Health Care to determine that there was a need for a concentrated wound care center in our area, which was why the Nash Wound Care Center was established in 2007.