CONCORD TWP., May 7, 2010 - Lake Health’s Wound Care Center was honored with the Center of Distinction award, which was given to them in recognition of its high patient satisfaction rates, exceptional healing results, and outstanding clinical outcomes over the past twelve months.  This prestigious honor was awarded by the Center's partner in wound healing, Diversified Clinical Services (DCS), the nation's leading wound care management company.

For more than a year, the Wound Care Center has achieved success in treating and curing chronic or non-healing wounds and in providing excellent care to over 400 patients since the Center's opening in October 2008.  

“Diversified Clinical Services brings our Wound Care Center enormous resources and expertise, enabling us to meet the increasing need for specialized wound care,” said David Rollins, MD, medical director of the Wound Care Center.  “Our program is completely devoted to healing problem wounds with state-of-the-art techniques and hyperbaric oxygen therapy, which allows patients to reclaim their quality of life much more quickly."

Nationally, approximately seven million people suffer from chronic, open wounds, usually involving the lower extremities. This serious condition can cause significant impairment in the quality of life and even lead to limb amputation. Non-healing wounds frequently occur in the elderly and in people with diabetes, peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and chronic vein disorders such as varicose veins and venous thrombosis and prolonged immobility.

The Wound Care Center generally admits wound patients immediately, working with referring physicians to determine the most effective course of treatment. This comprehensive outpatient service offers advanced healing therapies often unavailable in primary care offices. The Wound Care Center uses an interdisciplinary approach to treatment involving a variety of therapies and techniques, including debridement, dressing selection, special shoes, and patient education. 

When wounds persist and resist conventional treatment, a specialized approach, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), is required for healing. Systemic HBOT therapy has been used to assist wound healing for more than 40 years and is used as an adjunctive treatment for problematic, non-healing wounds that meet specific criteria. Approximately 10-20% of wound care cases meet that criteria.

“The majority of the patients who are treated at the center will not require HBOT” said Dr. Rollins. “However, those who do receive the treatment, heal successfully because high concentrations of oxygen in the wound stimulates the body’s tissues to accelerate the healing process.”

About Lake Health

For eight consecutive years NorthCoast 99 has named Lake Health one of the 99 Best Places to work in Northeast Ohio. Lake Health was named best in Ohio in Cardiac Surgery and among the top 5 percent of hospitals in the nation for Overall Cardiac Services and Cardiac Surgery by HealthGrades. Dedicated to redefining health care in Northeast Ohio, Lake Health provides patient- and family-centered care that promotes a lifetime of health and wellness. Lake Health delivers progressive, compassionate health care through ten state-of-the-art facilities staffed by more than 600 physicians and 2,700 health care professionals.

About Diversified Clinical Services

Diversified Clinical Services (DCS), located in Jacksonville, Florida, is the world’s largest wound care management company with over 300 hospital partners delivering excellent evidence-based care to patients with chronic wounds. DCS has been the leader in wound care for over 20 years, offering the most advanced modalities–including adjunctive hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Providing outstanding wound care is DCS’ entire focus. Our leaders are internationally recognized experts in wound care, who research, teach, and guide quality-improvement initiatives such as DCS’ Clinical Practice Guidelines. Based on our experience of treating more than two million wounds, DCS Centers achieve excellent outcomes as measured by our i-heal® clinical management system, including a high rate of limb salvage, an 88% heal rate, median days-to-heal of 31, and over 95% patient satisfaction. Together, we heal wounds and improve patients’ lives.  www.diversifiedcs.com