Raising awareness of chronic wounds during the 9th annual Wound Care Awareness Week

Established by Healogics in 2014, Wound Care Awareness Week brings attention to the chronic wound epidemic and the nearly 7 million Americans who are currently living with non-healing wounds. Healogics is dedicating the entire week to educating physicians, patients and the general public about the chronic wound epidemic and the advanced wound care solutions available.

Unfortunately, the incidence of chronic wounds is rising, fueled by an aging population and increasing rates of diseases and conditions such as obesity along with the late effects of radiation therapy. A person with a wound is living with an average of three to four chronic conditions such as diabetes, PAD, cardiovascular disease and COPD.

Not only do chronic wounds lead to a diminished quality of life, but when left untreated cause severe complications such as infection, hospitalization and possibly amputation of the affected limb. Even more alarmingly, 50 percent of people die within five years of amputation. During the height of the pandemic, studies have shown an increase in amputations due to untreated non-healing wounds despite wound care being designated as an essential service and the adoption of telemedical options. This further demonstrates that healing can’t wait!

To support underserved and growing populations of people living with chronic wounds, Healogics Wound Care Centers® offers an evidence-based, systematic approach to advanced wound care. This advanced care, combined with a comprehensive care plan can heal a wound faster than traditional methods. A patient’s individualized treatment plan may include specialized hyperbaric oxygen therapy, total contact casting, negative pressure wound therapy, and cellular and tissue-based products.

If you are suffering from a wound that will not heal, the sooner you seek care from a wound care specialist, the more likely the wound will go on to heal. The longer you go without care, the risk of serious complications increases. A complication could mean a visit to the emergency room or hospital admission and a poor outcome.

Wound Care Centers provide a powerful support team of professionals all specially trained and highly dedicated to healing chronic wounds. We change patients’ lives for the better, every day, restoring hope for many people who had come to believe their wounds would never heal. This Wound Care Awareness Week, we are determined to deliver the important message that healing can’t wait!

Written by Carolyn Shinn, Vice President, Clinical and Quality Process Excellence at Healogics.