www.johnsonpublications.zenfolio.com Bonnie Becker | Johnson Publications
Dr. Shane Banks (center) and Certifed Wound Ostomy Nurse CJ Einspahr (to his right) treat Norma O’Brien’s wound with the assistance of nurses Ann Aufdengarten (left) and Lydia Wolford (right) at the PCHS Wound Care Clinic that began treating patients in December.
PCHS Wound Care Clinic benefit to community
Perkins County Health Services is continuing to strive to meet the needs of their patients with the addition of the PCHS Wound Care Clinic.
For the past eight months, Dr. Shane Banks and staff have been seeing patients in the outpatient clinic on Wednesdays, with the addition of Certified Wound Ostomy Nurse Conchita “CJ” Einspahr, of Sutherland, in April.
Einspahr said as a comprehensive wound care clinic, they treat patients with anything from a skin tear to a severe pressure ulcer and aid the patient in healing those wounds, using traditional and advanced therapies to facilitate the healing process.
She said typically wounds will heal on their own in 14-30 days unless an underlying problem exists. Several factors are taken into consideration to determine the course of treatment, which averages 12-14 weeks.
In the decision to bring the clinic to PCHS, Vice President of Nursing Dana McArtor said, “This was a missing service line in our region. We are very excited to bring this type of dedicated program to our patients.”
Dr. Banks said as a general surgeon, he was seeing a new patient every week with a wound problem or chronic wound.
“These types of problems can up end up being quite a big health care cost and burden if they’re not treated properly,” he said.
He noted another benefit to the clinic was being able to work with the patient’s insurance more effectively and decrease patients’ out of pocket costs for supplies.
About six patients have graduated from the wound care program since December, which Dr. Banks noted does not sound like a big number, but it takes time and patience with the tough cases.
They are currently seeing up to 12 patients each week.
The closest wound care center is located in North Platte, and Einspahr said having the clinic at PCHS is a great benefit to the community.
Einspahr is contracted through RestorixHealth and also travels to wound care programs in Cambridge and Atwood, Kansas.
PCHS received a Clinical Distinction Award from RestorixHealth earlier this year for demonstrating exceptional success by meeting or exceeding clinical and safety benchmarks.
For more information about the PCHS Wound Care Clinic or to schedule an appointment, call 308-352-7102.