For many, the pain and embarrassment of non-healing wounds goes neglected for far too long. Now, Rollins Brook Community Hospital has opened its Center for Wound Care to help aid in the recovery of these non-healing wounds.

A non-healing wound is caused by a lack of blood flow to the wound, which causes tissue hypoxia, a lack of healing oxygen to the area.

“Each year, nearly 6 million Americans suffer from problem wounds often caused by diabetes, circulatory problems and many other conditions,” said Dr. H. Sprague Taveau, medical director of the Center for Wound Care. “Approximately 18 percent of people over 60 have diabetes, and patients with diabetes have a 15 percent chance of developing nonhealing wounds.”

The Center for Wound Care at Rollins Brook offers patients individualized treatment that includes the most advanced therapies available. Suemei Addington, program director for the center, feels the services will greatly benefit Lampasas and surrounding communities.

“All of our treatment plans focus on a ‘whole body’ approach, including nutritional assessment, education, counseling, pain management and addressing special needs for each patient,” Addington said. “Dr. Taveau and Dr. Einspanier specialize in treating patients with ulcers, traumatic or surgical wounds, infected wounds and non-healing bites and burns.”

The coordinated use of a variety of clinical treatments, medicines, dressings and support services to treat non-healing wounds has proven highly effective in facilitating the healing process, Addington said.

The Wound Care Center at Rollins Brook is accepting patients and is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.