The Center for Advanced Wound Healing at Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center, a member of the Healogics network, is participating in the National Diabetes Campaign. The Center of Advanced Wound Healing offers advanced therapies to patients suffering from chronic wounds like diabetic foot ulcers. Team members across the nation will dedicate the entire week to visiting local physician offices to provide education on the treatment of potential or existing chronic wounds for people also suffering from diabetes.
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 systems issues, nerve damage, and infection 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 to mitigate the possibility of limb loss. The Center for Advanced Wound Healing recommends the following to help prevent diabetic foot ulcers:
- Stop smoking immediately
- Comprehensive foot examinations each time you visit your healthcare provider (at least four times a year)
- Daily self-inspections of the feet, or have a family member perform the inspection
- Regular care of the feet including cleaning toenails and taking care of corns and calluses
- Choose supportive, proper footwear (shoes and socks)
- Take steps to improve circulation such as eating healthier and exercising on a regular basis
Proper wound care is imperative to healing diabetic foot ulcers. The Center for Advanced Wound Healing offers a number of leading-edge treatments including Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Mesenchymal Stem Cell Tissue Grafts, Total Contact Casting (TCC), and Negative Pressure Wound Therapy. These specialized wound care therapies can aid in wound closure, new tissue growth, wound tissue regeneration and much more.
Contact The Center for Advanced Wound Healing to learn more about diabetic foot ulcers or if you have a wound that will not heal. To schedule an appointment, please call 805.370-HEAL (4325).
About Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center
Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center is a licensed 404-bed acute care facility. Fully accredited by The Joint Commission, Los Robles Hospital has the only Level II Trauma Center in Eastern Ventura County and the only Emergency room in both Los Angeles and Ventura Counties with the coveted EDAP (Emergency Department Approved for Pediatrics) rating. In addition, it is the only hospital certified by both Counties as a STEMI-designated heart attack center for rapid heart attack response and is a certified Comprehensive Stroke Center. With over 600 physicians on its medical staff, representing over 50 medical and dental specialties, Los Robles is proud to be the community’s most trusted resource for health and a regional destination for care.
About The Center for Advanced Wound Healing
The Center for Advanced Wound Healing at Los Robles Hospital provides specialized treatment for chronic or non-healing wounds, which are characterized as sores or wounds that have failed to significantly improve from traditional treatments. Some of the symptoms of non-healing wounds are poor circulation, poorly functioning veins, and immobility. Such chronic wounds can lead to diminished quality of life and in some cases, amputation of the affected limb. We emphasize limb preservation and salvation using a variety of clinical treatments, therapies, and support services to treat chronic non-healing wounds. We provide access to state of the art equipment for outpatient clinical wound care and evidenced based, advanced treatment options.
What makes us different? We embrace and utilize a team approach that takes into account the whole person not just your wound. While you often hear “team approach” it actually isn’t a reality in most wound care centers where the same physician sees you week after week. Our multidisciplinary team of physicians consist of doctors that are double board certified. Our panel consists of experts in the areas of plastic surgery, vascular surgery, infectious disease and internal medicine with access to podiatric surgery, orthopedic surgery and other specialties as needed. This center strives to be a center of excellence that is a regional destination for those seeking help with their wounds.
The Center for Advanced Wound Healing at Los Robles Hospital provides state-of-the-art treatments available including debridement, dressing selection, special shoes, and patient education. Our Center also uses an interdisciplinary model of care, including infectious-disease management, physical therapy, occupational therapy, laboratory evaluation, nutritional management, pain management, diabetes education, and other areas to address total patient health.