What are chronic or non-healing wounds?
Chronic and non-healing wounds can result from a number of factors, including diabetes, poor circulation, trauma, vascular disease and immobility (which can lead to pressure ulcers, commonly known as "bed sores"). These sores or wounds do not significantly improve from conventional treatments. An estimated eight million Americans suffer from chronic wounds. Non-healing wounds lead to a lower quality of life and may lead to amputations. When wounds persist, a specialized approach is required for healing. Typically, a wound that does not respond to normal medical care within 30 days is considered a problem or chronic wound.
All services in the St. Joseph's Hospital Wound Care Center are provided by Jose Diaz, Jr., M.D., who serves as the Center's Medical Director, and Janet Alvarado, M.D. Both are physicians affiliated with the HSHS Medical Group and are on the SJH Medical Staff.