KNOXVILLE, IA – For people with a wound that won’t heal, everyday activities can be challenging. Whether it’s going for a walk, playing golf, or spending time with family and friends, a non-healing wound can be more than an annoyance. It can mean restricted activities and another day of pain or discomfort.
Little did John Haack know when playing college basketball in the 1970s that a simple injury of stepping wrong on an opponent’s foot would affect him later in life. Through the years Haack has endured numerous surgeries on his left foot and is now receiving wound care treatment at Knoxville Hospital & Clinics (KHC) for an infected callus on his right foot.
Since moving to Pella from Wisconsin, Haack and his wife Lisa struggled to find a provider that would listen to his concerns and take the time to address his wound care needs. After a Marion County Public Health nurse suggested in January that he try KHC, he has been receiving treatment twice a week with nurse practitioner Rachel Davis and wound and ostomy care nurse Lori Mallory.
“This is the best wound care treatment that I have ever received. The wound care team is very professional and well trained and knows exactly what they’re doing to help you heal,” said Haack. “From the minute you enter the [KHC] facility to have your temperature screened to being greeted and checked in, all of the staff have a positive, caring attitude.”
For the past 10 years, KHC has been providing focused wound care treatment close to home. With a combined 20 years of wound care experience, Rachel Davis, ARNP; Lori Mallory, WOCN, and Tara Martin, WCC, RN, specialize in the treatment of chronic and hard-to-heal wounds, including sores and wounds that have not improved significantly over the course of treatment.
Chronic wounds affect approximately 6.5 million patients in the United States, and the number is rapidly increasing with the aging population. Often, factors such as smoking, diet, circulatory problem, diabetes, and arthritis prevent wounds from healing effectively which causes them to become infected if not treated timely.
At KHC, we offer the most advanced wound care for conditions such as:
- Sores or bruises that develop on arms and legs due to inadequate blood flow.
- Skin ulcers usually caused by inadequate blood flow or nerve problems often associated with diabetes.
- Skin ulcers or sores that develop from other health complications and have not healed within 3 weeks.
- Tears in the skin.
- Wounds caused by surgical incisions that do not heal properly.
- Ostomy care – pre-and post-surgery.
- Traumatic wounds.
- Infected wounds.
- Surgical wounds.
- Pressure ulcers.
- Lower leg swelling.
- Foot care.
When patients are receiving wound care treatment, convenience is so important. If you live in Marion County or a surrounding county, you can receive your care at KHC without having to travel a distance. In addition to working with you to develop an individualized treatment plan that is focused on improved healing, our wound care staff will work with your health care provider to keep them informed throughout the course of your treatment.
Since establishing care with KHC medical provider Dr. Bhama and continuing to maintain contact with his foot surgeon in Wisconsin, Haack is pleased with the extent the wound care staff have gone to ensure his complete continuity of care.
“I am very happy with how well the staff works with my foot surgeon, and so is he. I will text him photos of my wound through the healing process and if he has treatment options to recommend, Rachel and Lori are always willing to listen because they are committed to providing the care that is best for me,” said Haack.
One more foot surgery is looming at the end of April for Haack. After that he is looking forward to returning to doing the things he enjoys again, like going for walks and playing golf with Lisa.
“Having a wound limits your life, especially one on your foot. I have set a goal of being able to get around normally again by July 1 and I am ready,” said Haack. “There is light at the end of the tunnel.”
If you suffer from a chronic or non-healing wound, talk to your health care provider about a referral to see our wound care specialists. For more information on wound care treatment at KHC, call (641) 842-7211.
Knoxville Hospital & Clinics is a non-profit community hospital serving Marion County and the surrounding area. Named a “Top 100 Critical Access Hospital” and voted as Best of Red Rock Area’s “Best Place to Work” and “Best Hospitality”, KHC’s highly skilled medical staff and specialists provide personal, compassionate and innovative quality health care to patients. For more information regarding this release and other happenings at Knoxville Hospital & Clinics, call Public Relations at (641) 842-1485.