Celebrating a Grand Opening: Health First Wound Management and Hyperbarics Center

  Health First Wound Management and Hyperbarics Center, a $1.45 million facility in Palm Bay, Fla, is scheduled to open June 2007. The 7,000-squarefoot center will house a brand new, state-of-the-art, eight-person multiplace hyperbaric chamber.

  The Wound Management and Hyperbarics combined program will provide the opportunity for patients to be treated by a multidisciplinary team that includes local independent podiatrists, neurologists, internal medicine physicians, and general surgeons. Under the leadership of Medical Director Michael Ott, the center will create convenient, comprehensive treatments for patients who may benefit from the specialized oxygen therapy, as well as individualized treatment plans for each patient based on the type of wound and its underlying cause.

  To facilitate chronic and acute wound care, the center features five exam rooms and is staffed by two podiatrists,a general/vascular surgeon, three RNs, one LPN, one Medical Assistant, and two office techs.

  Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; the hyperbaric chamber is available 24/7 and accepts emergencies.

  TWC asked staff representatives to explain how Health First Wound Management and Hyperbarics Center came to be.

  TWC: How was outpatient wound care handled before the wound care opening?
  HFWMHC: Patients were treated by Physical Therapy or in their physician’s office.

  TWC: How was the idea for a freestanding wound clinic developed?
  HFWMHC: The hospital recruited a professional in business development who specialized in wound care/hyperbarics. The strategic planning involved projecting patient visits; type of wounds that would be treated; variety of physicians and staff needed; a financial feasibility study; wound care pathways for arterial, diabetes, peripheral vascular, and pressure ulcers; equipment/instruments/dressings to be utilized; and the engagement of related departments, including pharmacy, environmental, finance, infection control, quality and outcomes, the ER, and dietary. Administrators involved included the Chief Operating Officer, the Vice President of Nursing, and the Chief Financial Officer.

  TWC: How did you select your location?
  HFWMHC: We chose to locate offsite of the hospital (within 2 miles) in an area that could accommodate a large parking lot and first floor access.

  TWC: How was scope of practice (services provided) determined?
  HFWMHC: We decided on provision of service by finalizing hours of operation, types of patients and ages, physician specialty, emergency versus non-emergency, and modes for referral (self or physician).

  TWC: How is/was the facility marketed?
  HFWMHC: Postcards were sent to the community and physicians. We also created press releases and gave presentations to medical staff, department heads, and the community. We made physicians aware through education.

  TWC: What is the anticipated number of patients you will see?
  HFWMHC: For wound care, we are looking at 7,200 per year. For hyperbarics, 200 per year.

  Readers with additional questions are invited to call Terika L. Haynes, MHA, Health First Administrative Resident, at (321) 837-1995.

Health First Wound Management and Hyperbarics Center

  Wound management staff at the Health First Wound Management and Hyperbaric Center excitedly await the grand opening of their wound center this June. The inviting treatment rooms and imposing multiplace hyperbaric chamber that seats eight will go a long way to attract wound patient referrals. Most importantly, the team approach to wound management, a model proven to provide good outcomes, will facilitate comprehensive care individualized to patient and wound type.