224 Hamburg Turnpike

Wayne, New Jersey 07470

973-942-6900

Last update:

06/07/2006

    Clinical Services

The Wound Care Program at St. Joseph’s Wayne Hospital

Approximately four million Americans have wounds that do not heal. They may have diabetes, poor circulation or other health conditions that increase their risk for chronic or non-healing wounds. In addition to experiencing ongoing pain or discomfort, people with chronic wounds are often unable to fully participate in activities they once enjoyed.

The Wound Care Program at St. Joseph’s Wayne Hospital provides comprehensive evaluation and treatment to people with either acute or chronic wounds that are difficult to heal.  Located in the recently renovated and expanded Ambulatory Care Program at the hospital, the Wound Care Program offers a multidisciplinary approach to wound care that promotes optimum healing in a timely manner. Our goals are to heal the patient’s wound, educate the patient about effective wound management and prevent recurrence of the wound. Our staff utilizes evidence-based clinical practice guidelines in wound care management.

Our Patients---Patients served in the Wound Care Program have chronic wounds--- wounds that have not healed in a timely fashion. Their wounds have resulted from  serious health problems, including diabetes, heart disease and circulation disorders and put patients at risk for severe infection and possibly amputation.. Chronic wounds cause pain, discomfort and may limit an individual’s mobility. Our goals are to enable the wound to heal and save the patient’s limb.

Chronic wounds include:

• Diabetic ulcers—occur on the foot or leg and are the result of poor circulation and nerve damage.
• Chronic leg ulcers---result from poor circulation.
• Pressure ulcers--- caused by unrelieved pressure usually on skin over bony areas.
• Arterial ulcers--- occur on the toes or feet and are caused by poor circulation or hardening of the arteries.

In addition to providing treatment for patients with chronic wounds, the Wound Care Program at St. Joseph’s Wayne also treats people with:

• Infected wounds
• Surgical wounds
• Burns
• Post-surgical wounds

Services Provided:

• Evaluation and wound assessment--- The entire wound site is carefully and thoroughly assessed.  Our staff will also take a full health history in order to understand if other health factors may be affecting the wound healing process.
• Treatment Plan—Our multidisciplinary team develops an individualized treatment plan that includes wound care treatment, education, and other supportive services. The Wound Care team develops the treatment plan in conjunction with the patient’s primary care physician and works closely with the primary care physician to assure that care is fully coordinated. The primary care physician will receive regular reports regarding the patient’s treatment.
• Education--- Patients, their families and caregivers will be educated on how to care for wounds at home and will be instructed on how to modify or alter the patient’s lifestyle to facilitate the healing process.
• Debridement--- The Wound Care Program team has received advanced training in wound debridement. The staff will remove dead tissue from the patient’s wound so that healthy tissue may be regenerated.

• Nutritional Support--- Clinical dietitians will fully evaluate each patient’s nutritional status and develop an individualized dietary plan to assure that each patient is receiving adequate nutrition to promote healing.
• Support Surface--- The Wound Care team will evaluate patients with pressure wounds to determine their risk for developing additional wounds as well as relieving pressure on existing wounds. Appropriate support surfaces, including special beds, mattresses, seat cushions or footwear will be prescribed to relieve pressure on wounds or areas of weakened tissue.

• Infection Management--- The Wound Care team will identify causes of infection through wound and blood cultures or biopsies. The patient will receive appropriate antibiotic treatment
• Compression Therapy--- Compression therapy may be used on wounds located in the lower legs or the feet.  Elastic stockings or bandages will help to increase blood flow, prevent blood pooling and decrease swelling.

Wound Care Program Staff

The Wound Care Program at St. Joseph’s Wayne Hospital is co-directed by general surgeon Bernard Henson, M.D.  and Marc Kitrosser, DPM. Dr. Henson is board certified in general surgery and serves as Chairman of the Department of Surgery. Dr. Marc Kitrosser is board certified in foot and ankle surgery and is a certified wound care specialist..

The Wound Care Program staff also includes:

·        Infectious Disease Specialists

·        Vascular and Plastic Surgeons

·        Surgical nurses who have received training in wound care management

·        Certified Diabetes Nurse educators

·        Certified Clinical Dietitians

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For further information on the Wound Care Program and to schedule an evaluation, please call  973-956-3350.