Renovation of Wound Care Center Complete

Just in time for November’s National Diabetes Month observance, Mercy Health – Springfield announces the completion of a $350,000 renovation project at Springfield Regional Wound Care Center, located at 362 S. Burnett Road in Springfield. The wound care center team will celebrate with a ribbon-cutting event, starting at 5 p.m. (ribbon-cutting at 5:30 p.m.) on Thursday, October 26.

Based on high demand, Springfield Regional Wound Care Center has added a third hyperbaric chamber to care for patients with chronic wounds. It has also expanded the lobby and upgraded exam rooms for the comfort of patients.

“In this year alone in our Springfield center, we have added 460 new patients who’ve experienced an almost 90% healing rate of their chronic wounds,” said Ben Merick, Director of Wound Care, Mercy Health – Springfield. “More than 13% of our area residents are afflicted with Type 2 diabetes. Mercy Health’s wound care centers offer advanced therapies to patients suffering from diabetes complications, like non-healing wounds. There’s no need to let a chronic wound, such as a diabetic foot ulcer, lead to scarring, infection or even an amputation.”

An estimated 30.3 million people in the United States (9.4 percent of the population) have diabetes, including 7.2 million who are unaware they are living with the disease. The percentage of adults with diabetes increases with age, reaching a high of 25.2 percent among those aged 65 years or older. In addition to age, risk factors for diabetes include diet, activity level, obesity and heredity.

High blood sugar levels, poor circulation, immune system issues, nerve damage and infections may contribute to a non-healing diabetic foot ulcer. Approximately 15 percent of people living with diabetes will develop a foot ulcer. An estimated 14-24 percent of people with foot ulcers will experience an amputation. Early detection and intervention can help lower the risk of limb loss.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, or HBO, increases the amount of oxygen to wounds, allowing them to heal from the inside. Patients receiving treatments watch television while relaxing on a bed encased in a large see-through plastic shell as they are surrounded by 100 percent oxygen at higher-than-normal atmospheric pressure.

Under hyperbaric conditions, oxygen molecules in the patient's red blood cells become reduced in size to more easily dissolve into the liquid portion of the blood and be transported throughout the body to speed healing. 

During the non-invasive procedure, the only sensation patients experience is a slight pressure in the ears, as on an airplane, when the pressure changes.   

HBO treatments are used for wounds that have not responded to traditional treatments. Treatments are typically covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most insurance plans. Mercy Health’s wound care centers also welcome self-referrals. 

Contact Mercy Health’s Wound Care Centers if you have a wound that will not heal. To schedule an appointment, please call:

• Springfield Regional Wound Care Center, 362 S. Burnett Road, Springfield, at 937-523-9170
• Mercy Memorial Wound Care Center, 1430 East US Highway 36, Suite B, Urbana, 937-523-9700