BAPTIST HEALTH provides two Wound Care Centers. The Wound Care Center in Little Rock is an outpatient service of BAPTIST HEALTH Medical Center - Little Rock. It's located in the Medical Towers II building at 9501 Lile Drive, Suite 888. For more information, call (501) 202-6390.

In North Little Rock, you can visit the BAPTIST HEALTH Wound & Hyperbaric Center, located on the North Little Rock campus at 3333 Springhill Drive, Suite 2002. For more information, call (501) 202-3638.

How do I know if I need the services of a Wound Care Center?

Anyone who has chronic, non-healing wounds may benefit from this innovative service designed specifically for evaluation and treatment of wounds. Many regular physicians' offices are not equipped with the special supplies and medications used to treat different types of problem wounds. In addition, a physician who has completed additional training in wounds may be helpful in sorting out the underlying cause of lack of healing.

What types of wounds can be treated at the Wound Care Center?

•  Diabetic foot ulcers
•  Non-healing surgical or injury sites
•  Venous stasis ulcers
•  Arterial ulcers
•  Pressure ulcers
•  Burns

What would I experience at the Wound Care Center?

Patients are seen by wound care specialists, a physician and a nurse, during the first visit to the Wound Care Center. A complete medical history and examination of the wound is done, and as necessary, blood or other tests may be performed. After the initial evaluation, the wound management team develops a plan of care based on individual needs. The treatment program involves regular visits to the Wound Care Center, including measurement and evaluation of the wound to ensure proper healing, and to adjust treatment if any changes are necessary. Special medications or procedures that will promote healing may also be utilized.

Patients are always involved in the plan of care and are instructed in ways to help with the healing process, including dressing changes, diet and lifestyle modifications. They are taught to monitor their own progress between visits and are asked to inform the Wound Care Center of any problems. With the patient's permission, individuals who assist with care at home are instructed in how to help with wound treatment.

What might my treatment plan include?

•  Specialized Dressings - some have medicines or chemicals within the fibers of the dressing which promote healing and limit the potential for infection; there are also different levels of absorbancy, depending on need.
  Different types of dressings are indicated for different types of problems.
  
•  Specialized Outer Wraps - some wounds require extra compression of the tissue to heal correctly, while some require a unique shape to hold the dressings in place.
  
•  Debridement - some wounds have unhealthy tissue in the wound bed which must be removed before healthy tissue can grow.
  
•  Infection Control - any time there is an open wound, there is a chance for infection to become established. Wounds need to be monitored for infection, and treated, if necessary.
  
•  Bio-synthetic Grafts - synthetic skin substitutes may be needed to promote growth and development of skin during healing.
  
•  Vacuum-assisted Wound Closure - this procedure continuously removes debris and infectious material from the wound surface and promotes healing.
  
•  Nutritional Guidance - wounds need certain vitamins, minerals and proteins in order to heal properly.
  
•  Additional Medical Tests - to get to the underlying cause of why a wound won't heal, other tests may be needed.