Medical Services:Wound and Ostomy Center
Restoring Hope
Northwest Community's Wound and Ostomy Center provides quality skin and wound management for patients diagnosed with problematic, hard to heal wounds as well as ostomy care. David Mahon MD, is medical director of the program. Patients come to the Wound and Ostomy Center through physician referrals or after discharge from the Hospital or home care. Each patient's care plan is developed in conjunction with the patient's primary care physician, nurses, therapists, dieticians and diabetic educators. In addition, wound and ostomy nurses are extensively trained in all aspects of wound management and ostomy care. The staff closely coordinates with inpatient wound care nurses, as well as Northwest Community's Home Healthcare Services, to maintain seamless continuity of care across the continuum. "We offer access to some of the most advanced wound therapies available," says Barbara Oberg, RN, MSN, CWON, and manager of the Wound and Ostomy Center. "This gives our patients, especially those coming to us with long-term wounds, hope for a better outcome." "Treating the whole person is an important part of what we do," explains Oberg. "We spend a lot of time listening to our patients- learning about their history, uncovering those factors that may have contributed to their delay in healing and even looking into family dynamics." In addition to treating wounds, the Center provides care for different types of ostomies (colostomy, ileostomy, urostomy), fistulas and leaking tube/drain sites. Available Treatments Include:
The Center offers patient/caregiver education and recommendations so that the best management techniques are used to help the patient better manage in daily life. "Our goal is to improve the patient's quality of life," stresses Oberg, "as well as helping to ease frustrations and calm fears." The Wound and Ostomy Center is located in Suite 4400 of the Busse Center for Specialty Medicine and is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm. You can reach the Wound & Ostomy Center at 847.618.3220. The fax number is 847.618.3229. Barbara Oberg, RN, MSN, CWON Named Manager of the New Wound & Ostomy CenterBarbara has been a nurse for 35 years and originally completed her wound, ostomy and continence education at Northwest Community in 1985. Since that time she has completed her Masters in Nursing and is certified by the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Society in advanced wound and ostomy care. For the past 10 years, she has been the wound, ostomy and continence specialist in both inpatient and homecare settings at Loyola. Barbara can be reached at 847.618.3226.  From the Northwest Community Hospital Health Information Library...Information on diseases and health concerns, including symptoms, treatment options, and prevention:  NEW! Health Topic Center: Wound CareVisit our Wound Care information center for basics and advice to help you take steps to avoid infection and other complications, including these articles:
Last Updated on 01/18/08 |
Hope is a concept that is not always easy to come by for patients who have hard-to-heal wounds or problems with an ostomy. At Northwest Community's Wound and Ostomy center, patients are finding their hopes restored.