St. Mary Medical Center opens new outpatient center for chronic wound treatment

High Desert residents suffering from hard-to-heal wounds now have greater resources to help heal their wounds and get their lives back. St. Mary Medical Center, a 190-bed acute care hospital in the High Desert of Southern California, announced today the opening of its Center for Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine.

“With more than six million people suffering from wounds today, it is imperative that we begin healing patients in our area before they are at risk for amputation”

The new outpatient center is dedicated to the treatment of chronic, hard-to-heal wounds and brings the sophisticated treatment of hyperbaric oxygen chambers to High Desert residents. Hyperbaric oxygen treatments involve placing patients in a sealed chamber for up to two hours, while they breathe in 100% pure oxygen at a pressure greater than sea level. This is only one of many techniques physicians will use to manage wounds at the center.

"We are pleased to open this new center for the many High Desert residents suffering from these very difficult wounds. With hyperbaric oxygen treatments now available in the High Desert, many patients will be able to return to their normal activities sooner and avoid the inconvenience of leaving the area for treatment," said Randy Bevilacqua, Vice President of Communication for St. Mary Medical Center.

The outpatient center will be led by Medical Directors Vincent Ajanwachuku, M.D., a general surgeon, and Bipinchandra Bhagat M.D., who specializes in infectious diseases. Patients will be treated by a multidisciplinary team of board-certified physicians and clinical wound specialists - all maintaining the goal of successful healing and reducing the risk of amputation and/or disability.

"With more than six million people suffering from wounds today, it is imperative that we begin healing patients in our area before they are at risk for amputation," said Dr. Ajanwachuku.

"As the only wound care center in the High Desert, we are proud to say that St. Mary Medical Center is healing some of those six million," added Dr. Bhagat.

Paradigm Medical Management, a company that provides development, implementation and ongoing management oversight for chronic wound management and hyperbaric oxygen therapy clinics licensed and operated by acute care general hospitals, will oversee the program for St. Mary Medical Center.

Patient education is also a vital part of the wound treatment program. Wounds that resist healing are often the result of diabetes, compromised skin grafts, pressure ulcers, radiation tissue damage or venous or arterial issues. Patients and their families are taught the causes of ulceration, how to care for the wounds and how to reduce the risk of recurrence. Just as important, each patient's primary care physician is kept informed of the patient's progress.