OTTAWA – OSF HealthCare has opened wound care clinics in Mendota, Ottawa and Streator.
“We were referring a lot of our patients off to different towns in surrounding communities for wound care, and when you’re in a rural setting, just driving down the road 30 miles can be burden,” said Stacy Piller, advanced practice registered nurse, OSF HealthCare. “We don’t have the transportation services that people in more urban areas have. So we wanted to bring that care closer to home.”
They say that when wound care patients need intensive treatment, the usual response is to transport them to the nearest hospital or specialty clinic. But in rural areas of the country, a simple trip to the hospital may not be that simple, especially for elderly patients. Traveling long distances, access to transportation, and relying on family members and friends for help all play a role in getting the best possible care.
“The staff are wonderful and listened to what I had to say to the point where I felt I had a say so in my treatment and care,” explained Tamra Gonzalez, a patient of OSF Wound Care. After having her wound healed, Tamra was referred to OSF Home Health, in which nurses visited her home to ensure she had all of the resources she needed to maintain her health and wellness. Tamra added, “They did referrals for diabetic shoes and an air pressure machine to massage my legs. It was a domino effect of complete, wonderful care.”
Weekdays 12 a.m. to 5 a.m.
