Going the Extra Mile: The Importance of Wound Care
Dr. Thomas Wehmann, a board-certified Vascular and General Surgeon, joins us to discuss the importance of wound care and what happens when a patient is at the Wound Care Clinic.
Featured Speaker:
Thomas Wehmann, M.D.
Dr. Wehmann is “triple boarded”– certified by the national specialty boards of general surgery, vascular surgery, and wound care. He has practiced these surgical areas for more than 20 years. Dr. Wehmann is a member of the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons, American Osteopathic Association, and American Board of Wound Management. A clinical assistant professor at Mercer University School of Medicine, he has written medical articles about carotid endartectomy and vascular access for dialysis. Specialties: General Surgery Thoracic Surgery Vascular Surgery Wound Care. Transcription:
Going the Extra Mile: The Importance of Wound Care
Vicki Lewis: Welcome to Discussions with the Doc. This is a healthcare podcast brought to you by Coffee, Regional Medical Center in Douglas, Georgia, where our mission is to provide exceptional care and wellness close to home. Join us as we learn more about rural healthcare in south.
Caitlin Whyte: Well, welcome back to another episode of Discussions with the Doc. Today. I am joined by board certified vascular and general surgeon, Dr. Thomas Wehmann with CRH Surgical Group, Dr. Wehmann and I will be talking about wound care. Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with us today doctor.
Thomas Wehmann, M.D.: My pleasure. Thanks for having me.
Caitlin Whyte: So start us off by telling us a bit about what you do as a vascular and general surgeon. Yes.
Thomas Wehmann, M.D.: I've been involved in medicine since the early seventies. I'm a triple boarded I'm board certified in general surgery and vascular surgery and in wound care. And I've been involved in wound centers since the late 1980s.
Caitlin Whyte: And what kind of cases do you see at the wound care clinic?
Thomas Wehmann, M.D.: We see all types of patients, mainly patients that have chronic wounds, which is basically defined as a wound that's been present for about six weeks. We see patients with diabetic wounds, burns pressure officers trauma surgical wounds.
Caitlin Whyte: Now this is an area of medicine that not many people think about what causes these wounds not to heal? And then what do you do at the wound care clinic to encourage that healing?
Thomas Wehmann, M.D.: Well, there are many things that contribute to non-healing. Some patients are in mobile and they continue to put pressure on a wound that will prevent it from healing. We have diabetics which obviously causes poor healing. Some patients have infections, some patients are neuropathic and there's also patients who have circulatory problems. We try to optimize all things so that the healing environment is optimal for the wound to get better basically.
Caitlin Whyte: Now explain to us what a hyperbaric chamber is? I know that's important to certain wounds. And then how does that support that successful healing?
Thomas Wehmann, M.D.: We're fortunate in Coffee County to have two hyperbaric chambers associated with the wound center. Hyperbaric oxygen is essential for wound healing. You can think of the hyperbaric chamber as being a small submarine that the patient is put into and is put under pressure. This forces oxygen into the circulation and into the tissues, which helps the wounds to heal. There are certain requirements that we have for patients to be considered for hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and we know what those are and we know how to implement them.
Caitlin Whyte: Well, then what qualifies a patient for this form of treatment, since it is so laborious?
Thomas Wehmann, M.D.: There are certain types of wounds that benefit, especially from hyperbaric oxygen. Those are usually diabetic patients with wounds involving the lower extremities, the feet or the legs. But there are other wounds that can qualify for hyperbaric therapy.
Caitlin Whyte: Well, Dr. Wehmann, what you're doing through this clinic truly goes above and beyond in caring for our patients. We've seen how continuing care after they leave the hospital or clinic to support them in their healing is a necessary service. So thank you for all you do to care for your patients. Is there anything else you'd like to share about the clinic and hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
Thomas Wehmann, M.D.: We've seen dramatic improvement in the overall health of patients who undergo hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Our goal is to support patients as they heal and allow them to recover so that they can get back to a normal lifestyle. If someone has a slow healing wound or a wound is not healing correctly, they often don't realize that there's help out there for them. They think that they're alone to deal with the pain discomfort, social stigma, and isolation.
It's important not to wait on a non-healing wound. If you notice a loved one or yourself has a surgical incision or a sore that's not healing correctly, or is it expected consultation with the wound center is important. It should be done early so that we can improve the chances of a quick recovery.
Caitlin Whyte: Well, if people do have a wound and they haven't sought out this care, where should they start? How can they get in touch with you?
Thomas Wehmann, M.D.: And you can contact the wound center, which is at 304 West Side Drive phone number's (912) 720-7002. Or you can discuss it with your primary doctor who can make a referral to.
Well, you've been listening to Discussions with the Doc with Coffee Regional Medical Center. For more information, please visit coffeeregional.org. Or to contact the wound care clinic. Just like Dr. Wayman said, please call at 912-720-7002. One more time. That's 912-720-7002.
Vicki Lewis: We've decided to create this podcast, to educate our community and enlighten those throughout our great nation about rural health care. We hope you subscribe and enjoy Discussions with the Doc. Thank you for listening to this podcast, sponsored by Coffee Regional Medical Center, where our purpose is to serve, to heal, to save.
Caitlin Whyte: This concludes today's episode of Discussions with the Doc. We invite you to download subscribe, rate, and review our podcast on apple podcasts, Google podcasts, and Spotify. For more episodes and information on our providers and services. Visit us online at coffeeregional.org. This program aims to enhance your health and wellness knowledge by fulfilling the vision of Coffee Regional Medical Center, healthy lifestyles, better lives.
None of the information provided in this episode should serve as a diagnosis or approval of the treatment for any. The information and opinions provided in the podcast, do not create any type of doctor, patient relationship. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition and either yourself or others, including, but not limited to patients that you are treating. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having. The opinions of the guests do not necessarily represent the opinion of Coffee Regional Medical Center.
Going the Extra Mile: The Importance of Wound Care
Vicki Lewis: Welcome to Discussions with the Doc. This is a healthcare podcast brought to you by Coffee, Regional Medical Center in Douglas, Georgia, where our mission is to provide exceptional care and wellness close to home. Join us as we learn more about rural healthcare in south.
Caitlin Whyte: Well, welcome back to another episode of Discussions with the Doc. Today. I am joined by board certified vascular and general surgeon, Dr. Thomas Wehmann with CRH Surgical Group, Dr. Wehmann and I will be talking about wound care. Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with us today doctor.
Thomas Wehmann, M.D.: My pleasure. Thanks for having me.
Caitlin Whyte: So start us off by telling us a bit about what you do as a vascular and general surgeon. Yes.
Thomas Wehmann, M.D.: I've been involved in medicine since the early seventies. I'm a triple boarded I'm board certified in general surgery and vascular surgery and in wound care. And I've been involved in wound centers since the late 1980s.
Caitlin Whyte: And what kind of cases do you see at the wound care clinic?
Thomas Wehmann, M.D.: We see all types of patients, mainly patients that have chronic wounds, which is basically defined as a wound that's been present for about six weeks. We see patients with diabetic wounds, burns pressure officers trauma surgical wounds.
Caitlin Whyte: Now this is an area of medicine that not many people think about what causes these wounds not to heal? And then what do you do at the wound care clinic to encourage that healing?
Thomas Wehmann, M.D.: Well, there are many things that contribute to non-healing. Some patients are in mobile and they continue to put pressure on a wound that will prevent it from healing. We have diabetics which obviously causes poor healing. Some patients have infections, some patients are neuropathic and there's also patients who have circulatory problems. We try to optimize all things so that the healing environment is optimal for the wound to get better basically.
Caitlin Whyte: Now explain to us what a hyperbaric chamber is? I know that's important to certain wounds. And then how does that support that successful healing?
Thomas Wehmann, M.D.: We're fortunate in Coffee County to have two hyperbaric chambers associated with the wound center. Hyperbaric oxygen is essential for wound healing. You can think of the hyperbaric chamber as being a small submarine that the patient is put into and is put under pressure. This forces oxygen into the circulation and into the tissues, which helps the wounds to heal. There are certain requirements that we have for patients to be considered for hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and we know what those are and we know how to implement them.
Caitlin Whyte: Well, then what qualifies a patient for this form of treatment, since it is so laborious?
Thomas Wehmann, M.D.: There are certain types of wounds that benefit, especially from hyperbaric oxygen. Those are usually diabetic patients with wounds involving the lower extremities, the feet or the legs. But there are other wounds that can qualify for hyperbaric therapy.
Caitlin Whyte: Well, Dr. Wehmann, what you're doing through this clinic truly goes above and beyond in caring for our patients. We've seen how continuing care after they leave the hospital or clinic to support them in their healing is a necessary service. So thank you for all you do to care for your patients. Is there anything else you'd like to share about the clinic and hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
Thomas Wehmann, M.D.: We've seen dramatic improvement in the overall health of patients who undergo hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Our goal is to support patients as they heal and allow them to recover so that they can get back to a normal lifestyle. If someone has a slow healing wound or a wound is not healing correctly, they often don't realize that there's help out there for them. They think that they're alone to deal with the pain discomfort, social stigma, and isolation.
It's important not to wait on a non-healing wound. If you notice a loved one or yourself has a surgical incision or a sore that's not healing correctly, or is it expected consultation with the wound center is important. It should be done early so that we can improve the chances of a quick recovery.
Caitlin Whyte: Well, if people do have a wound and they haven't sought out this care, where should they start? How can they get in touch with you?
Thomas Wehmann, M.D.: And you can contact the wound center, which is at 304 West Side Drive phone number's (912) 720-7002. Or you can discuss it with your primary doctor who can make a referral to.
Well, you've been listening to Discussions with the Doc with Coffee Regional Medical Center. For more information, please visit coffeeregional.org. Or to contact the wound care clinic. Just like Dr. Wayman said, please call at 912-720-7002. One more time. That's 912-720-7002.
Vicki Lewis: We've decided to create this podcast, to educate our community and enlighten those throughout our great nation about rural health care. We hope you subscribe and enjoy Discussions with the Doc. Thank you for listening to this podcast, sponsored by Coffee Regional Medical Center, where our purpose is to serve, to heal, to save.
Caitlin Whyte: This concludes today's episode of Discussions with the Doc. We invite you to download subscribe, rate, and review our podcast on apple podcasts, Google podcasts, and Spotify. For more episodes and information on our providers and services. Visit us online at coffeeregional.org. This program aims to enhance your health and wellness knowledge by fulfilling the vision of Coffee Regional Medical Center, healthy lifestyles, better lives.
None of the information provided in this episode should serve as a diagnosis or approval of the treatment for any. The information and opinions provided in the podcast, do not create any type of doctor, patient relationship. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition and either yourself or others, including, but not limited to patients that you are treating. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having. The opinions of the guests do not necessarily represent the opinion of Coffee Regional Medical Center.