Memorial Hospital of Tampa

About the Doc WOUNDS Hard-to-Heal Help Is Here for Approximately 7 million Americans will cope with chronic wounds this year, according to Epsicom Healthcare Intelligence. If you are one of them, Memorial Hospital of Tampa can offer leading-edge care that will allow you to continue to live an active and happy life. While most wounds typically heal on their own, chronic or non-healing wounds and radiation injuries require specialized care. The medical staff at Memorial can assess and treat a variety of wounds. "We typically treat chronic wounds such as diabetic ulcers, arterial ulcers, venous ulcers and pressure ulcers," says Judy Simpson, R.N., Clinical Manager of the Would Healing Center and Hyperbaric Medicine. "However, we can also treat other wound care cases, such as surgical wounds that have reopened, or follow up with trauma wound patients." Wound care treatment options include: • Alleviation of weight-bearing wounds through specialized casts or boots • Antibiotics to prevent infection • Blood sugar control to speed healing • Debridement (removal of dead tissue to encourage healing) • Specialty wound dressings to promote healing • Skin grafts • Surgery A MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH FOR OPTIMAL CARE The medical staff at the Wound Healing Center features a variety of specialties to ensure patients receive individualized care. "Our physician panel sets us apart from other wound care centers," says Simpson. "We have plastic surgeons, as well as a vascular surgeon, family practice physician, proctologist, podiatrist and interventional cardiologist, to ensure patients receive care in a timely manner. Additionally, the clinical staff works well together, a quality that promotes continuity of care for patients." If you have a non-healing wound, please call (813) 342-1445 for more information about wound care services or to make an appointment. An Rx for Oxygen When patients require extra treatment for a hard-to-heal wound, Memorial Hospital of Tampa can offer hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) alongside other treatments to speed healing. HOW IT WORKS When a patient undergoes HBOT, he or she lies down in a glass chamber. Once comfortable, 100 percent oxygen is pumped into the chamber. The patient can breathe normally and can typically nap or watch television during treatment. By delivering concentrated oxygen to the wound, blood flow increases, helping to repair the damaged area. "HBOT is one of the many modalities we offer," says David E. Halpern, M.D., Plastic Surgeon at Memorial. "We can use this leading-edge option in tandem with other treatments to ensure patients achieve optimal healing." Wellness Today 7 David E. Halpern, M.D. 120 South Fremont Avenue Tampa, FL 33606 (813) 871-5000 Medical school: New York University Residency: General Surgery–Maimonides Medical Center, Plastic Surgery–USC, Hand Surgery–Columbia Presbyterian T o find out more about HBOT and other wound care treatments available at Memorial Hospital of T "W ound Care" from the "Services" menu. ampa, visit MemorialHospitalT ampa.com and select

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