Wound Healing Institute of Carolina

Every year, chronic wounds caused by diabetes, insect bites, pressure ulcers, trauma or other conditions keep 3 to 5 million people from living life the way they'd like. The Wound Healing Institute of Carolina at Aiken Regional Medical Centers can help. The staff at the institute treats sores and wounds, including those that have resisted healing for months, and even years.

If you have a sore or wound that has not begun to heal in a month, or healed entirely in two months, you should ask your doctor about the Wound Healing Institute of Carolina. The physicians and nurses at the instute are dedicated to treating wounds and can help treat your slow-healing wounds.

The Wound Healing Institute of Carolina at Aiken Regional Medical Centers includes the following:

Outpatient program offers technically advanced, surgically-oriented, interdisciplinary outpatient care that has proven to be highly effective in healing wounds that resist conventional therapies. The institute also treats acute wounds and pediatric patients.

Inpatient program is designed to:

1. prevent wounds from occurring among patients who have been admitted to the hospital;
2. reduce the length-of-stay for patients admitted with wounds.

How Does It Work?

The Wound Healing Institute of Carolina at Aiken Regional Medical Centers complements your physician's services, and is dedicated to treating non-healing wounds. The healthcare professionals at the institute include:

• Physicians with advanced training in wounds management
• Nurses who are trained in the care of chronic wounds
• Technicians who perform non-invasive studies and various therapies
• An experienced staff to assist with appointments, medical records and health insurance processing

Two Hyperbaric Oxygen Chambers

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a procedure in which a patient breaths 100 percent oxygen while relaxing in a pressurized chamber. This delivers high concentrations of oxygen to the blood stream and the wound bed, which rapidly accelerates the healing process.

The staff puts together a treatment program based on each patient’s special needs. The program includes visits to the institute plus detailed instructions for home care. Our staff is available whenever patients or family members have questions.

The Wound Healing Institute of Carolina at Aiken Regional Medical Centers works with your personal physician. We’ll discuss your treatment program with your doctor, and keep him or her updated on your progress unless instructed otherwise. Remember, you’ll need to continue seeing your doctor for routine medical care.

Other Services

Acute Care
To help meet its commitment to prevent and treat chronic wounds, the staff has implemented an acute wounds program and will take appointments to see any wound regardless of how long the wound has been present. If you have an emergency, call 911 or go to the Emergency Department. They will refer you to the Wound Healing Institute of Carolina at Aiken Regional Medical Centers after the emergency is stabilized.

Pediatric Care
Children in the Aiken community have a special place at the Wound Healing Institute of Carolina at Aiken Regional Medical Centers. The hospital currently has two highly trained and skilled pediatric nurses to provide pediatric patients with high quality care.

Care Management Program
The Wound Healing Institute's care management program is designed to augment the physician’s ability to address a specific problem without interfering with his or her responsibilities for the overall care of the patient. Learn more >

Tips to Keep Your Feet Healthy and Injury-Free

• Examine feet daily in good light. Look for areas of dryness or cracking, especially around the toenails, between the toes and on the soles. 
• Wash feet in warm, soapy water each day. Dry feet thoroughly.
• If feet become excessively dry, moisturize the soles with unscented lotion.
• Never walk barefoot either indoors or outdoors.
• Avoid exposing feet to extreme heat, such as hot sand or pavement. Use sunscreen to prevent sunburn. Check bath water temperature with your elbow before entering. Do not use hot water or a heating pad to warm cold feet; instead, wear loose socks if feet are cold.
• Trim toenails straight across and gently round corners with a fine emery board or pumice stone.
• Visit a physician or podiatrist to treat corns or calluses. Do not use commercial corn or callous removers, footpads or arch supports.
• Wear comfortable, well-fitting shoes. Avoid shoes with open toes or heels, sandals and shoes that squeeze toes together.
• Buy new shoes late in the day when feet are slightly enlarged to assure they will fit comfortably at any time. New shoes should never be worn more than two hours at one time.
• Wear seamless socks or stockings with shoes. Socks should be clean and changed daily.
• Avoid using garters or elastics to hold up stockings, or any garments that are tight around the legs.
• Walking is the best exercise for the feet, provided shoes fit properly. After exercising, be sure to check feet for signs of irritation or blisters.
• Prop up feet when seated to increase circulation. Wiggle toes and move ankles up and down for five minutes, two or three times a day. Don’t cross legs for long periods of time.

If you would like to have your shoes checked for proper fitting, call the Wound Healing Institute of Carolina for an appointment with the Certified Pedorthist, Joe Cantwell, BOC, ABC

Contact the Wound Healing Institute of Carolina

Put an end to the misery of a non-healing sore or wound. Don’t wait until an infection or gangrene threatens you with the loss of a limb … Call the Wound Healing Institute of Carolina at 803-643-2090.