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Wound Care Center

HSHS St. Joseph's Hospital in Highland's Center for Wound Center & Hyperbaric Medicine provides specialized treatment for chronic or non-healing wounds, which are defined as sores or wounds.

Mature female patient in a blue gown sitting in hospital bed looking up smiling to her male doctor standing bedside.

With state-of-the-art treatments available, including debridement, dressing selection, special shoes and patient education, people with non-healing and chronic wounds now have a place to turn.

To schedule an appointment, please call us at (618) 651-2502. 

Wrapping a hand wound

Comprehensive, Integrated Wound Management

People with non-healing and chronic wounds now have a place to turn. Located on the second floor of the Medical Office Building in the hospital, the HSHS St. Joseph’s Center for Wound Care & Hyperbaric Medicine provides specialized treatment for chronic or non-healing wounds. Our Center for Wound Care & Hyperbaric Medicine offers state-of-the-art treatments including debridement, dressing selection, special shoes and patient education.

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.

Woman receiving wound care treatment

Can You Benefit From Wound Care?

How Do I Know If My Wound Needs Special Medical Care?

If you suffer from a chronic or non-healing wound, ask your physician about a referral to our Center for Wound Care & Hyperbaric Medicine or contact us directly for an assessment. There are a number of factors that can cause chronic and non-healing wounds.

  • Aging population
  • Diabetes
  • Vascular deficiencies
  • Traumatic wounds
  • Prolonged pressure on bony prominence

Tracking Your Progress

Specialists who provide care at the Center work closely with the patient’s primary care physician and track the patient’s progress by several outcome measures, including digital imaging processes. Information regarding the patient's progress, along with updated photos of the wound, are submitted to the referring physician on an ongoing basis.

Benefits of Using HSHS St. Joseph's Center for Wound Care & Hyperbaric Medicine

If you are a candidate for this outpatient program, the Center for Wound Care & Hyperbaric Medicine will work with you and your doctor to deliver the following:

  • Advanced therapies
  • Proven clinical protocols
  • An individualized, comprehensive plan of care that brings you the most appropriate and effective treatments for your specific needs
  • Assessment and ongoing care by our highly skilled team of wound care specialists, including a case manager who will oversee every aspect of your treatment
  • Education for you and your family to help healing happen at home, including materials and resources related to prevention, nutrition, hygiene and more
  • Ongoing communication and collaboration with you and your doctor so that you each remain informed about your progress
  • Now featuring two new hyperbaric oxygen therapy chambers - a well-established treatment for non-healing wounds!

Conditions We Treat

  • Diabetic ulcers
  • Pressure ulcers
  • Ischemic ulcers
  • Venous insufficiency
  • Traumatic wounds
  • Non-healing surgical incisions


In The News

Frequently asked questions

Some chemotherapy drugs do cause hair loss. Hair loss typically occurs within the first two weeks of treatment, and the hair grows back once treatment has ended. Please talk to your doctor about the side effects you might experience based on the specific drugs used in your treatment.
Some chemotherapy drugs will cause you to become nauseated. When receiving these drugs, normally you will be given anti-nausea medication before treatment begins.
In general, it is safe to be around people when you’re being treated with chemotherapy. However, the drugs used in chemotherapy are very strong in order to kill the cancer cells in your body. They are processed and removed from your body in about two days through your urine and stool. As a result, you should take special precautions in the 48 hours after each chemotherapy session so that people do not come in contact with your bodily fluids. Please talk to your doctor for more information.
Each treatment plan is unique including the length of time of each chemotherapy session.
This depends upon your specific treatment plan. You may receive chemotherapy daily, weekly or even just once a month. Usually chemotherapy is given in cycles with periods of rest between periods of treatment to allow your body to rest and heal between cycles.
Most patients are able to drive themselves to treatment, but check with your physician to make sure it is safe for your particular case.
 
Yes, we encourage you to bring someone for support and company.
 
Fatigue is a common side effect of chemotherapy medication, but most people are able to continue with their daily activities.
Besides the initial discomfort of the needle stick for an IV or injection, a chemotherapy session is not painful.
Most people experience fatigue while undergoing chemotherapy. Depending on the medicine used, some people lose their hair and experience nausea. You may also have an increased risk of catching infections.
No. Most new patients are able to schedule an appointment within one week of calling.