A part of the Ruleville facility since 2013
by Mark H. Stowers
The Bolivar Bullet
Wound care is a vital service in which many Delta people have a crucial need. From every day cuts and scrapes to those with chronic diseases such as diabetes, North Sunflower Medical Center has a Wound Care Center in their Ruleville facility that opened in March of 2013. Carmen Cooper Oguz, Vice President of Service Line Development/Director of Rehabilitation at North Sunflower Medical Center, explained more.
“The Comprehensive Wound Healing Center at North Sunflower Medical Center provides care to those suffering from non-healing wounds in a way no other provider can – all in one location,” said Oguz. “A comprehensive Wound Healing Center is a coordinated outpatient center that utilizes the latest techniques and procedures to provide the best chance of healing.”
The staff at NSMC’s wound care facility focus on “continuity of care,” meaning that patients will be seen and treated by the same team at each visit, making the healing process less stressful on the patient and encouraging better outcomes.
“They are dedicated to creating a cohesive plan for treatment and maintaining consistent communication to best meet the patient’s needs,” she said. “The nurses that staff the unit, this is what they do. They are trained wound care nurses. This is what they do all day, every day. Not a nurse pulled from another service. It’s a rare talent to have but definitely one that is needed.”
This service has become more crucial as wound care centers in both Charleston and Cleveland have closed, creating a bigger need at NSMC.
“We have nearly doubled our case load. It’s a service much needed in the Mississippi Delta but also North Sunflower Medical Center has a reputation for clinical excellence,” she said. “This service is for anyone who has a wound of any type. We see non-healing surgical wounds, we see patients with burns – chemical and radiation burns from cancer treatment.”
Patients can “self-refer” but calling ahead for an appointment is highly recommended.
“They can call ahead to (662) 756-4000 and they’ll guide them on how to get on the wound schedule. We also take referrals from physicians and other family members,” she said. “At North Sunflower Medical Center Wound Clinic, you not only get excellent clinical care, you’ll feel like you are highly regarded as a person as well as a patient.”
As a comprehensive wound healing center, NSMCs specialize in the treatment of all types of non-healing and difficult-to-heal wounds including:
- Diabetic foot ulcers
- Venous ulcers
- Pressure ulcers
- Non-healing, surgical wounds
- Arterial/ischemic ulcers
- Post-radiation injury to tissue or bone
- Traumatic wounds
- Infected wounds
- Crush injuries
- Compromised flaps or grafts.