Wound and Ostomy Care Clinic
The following describes methods for treating wounds. For specific information regarding your health and treatment options, please contact your Hurley physician or medical professional.
The highest level of wound care and long-term treatment
At Hurley Medical Center’s Wound and Ostomy Care Clinic, we use advanced therapeutic wound healing technologies to treat and heal chronic wounds. Part of the Family Ambulatory Health Center within the hospital, Hurley’s Wound and Ostomy Care Clinic is the only wound clinic in the region with complete ostomy education and care, and pre-operative stoma site marking. It is also the region’s only wound clinic run by a Family Nurse Practitioner certified in wound, ostomy, and continence care by the Wound Ostomy Continence Certification Board. A specialty of the clinic is the care and management of fistula drainage.
Patient- and Family-Centered Care
At Hurley, we recognize that successful healing of a chronic wound requires commitment from the patient’s family as well as the patient. Our commitment to Patient- and Family-Centered Care is at the core of everything we do, and we include the family when we show patients how to help a wound heal and how to prevent further problems.
Healthy lifestyles promote healing
Just as importantly, we educate the patient and patient’s family about lifestyle changes that will help the healing process:
- diabetes management
- healthy diet and nutrition
- weight loss
- smoking cessation
- exercise
- wound pressure relief
- blood sugar concerns
- blood pressure concerns
Hurley Center for Health Outcomes and Hurley Health Fitness Center
The Hurley Center for Health Outcomes oversees programs that help people get and stay healthy. Hurley Health and Fitness Center, the area’s only medically-based health and fitness facility, offers a full range of classes, advanced exercise technology, an experienced team of fitness professionals, and access to Hurley Medical Center specialists.
Long term follow-up
Our Wound Care Family Nurse Practitioner treats patients in the hospital and in the Wound Clinic. As well as treating wounds through all stages of healing, she diligently follows up with our patients for years, sometimes even decades. One unique aspect of Hurley’s wound care is the follow-up with our patients and their families. Many patients have referred other family members and friends to Hurley Medical Center because of the caring, compassionate manner in which we treat all our patients.
Most common wounds treated include:
- Venous stasis ulcers
- Arterial (ischemic) ulcers
- Diabetic/leg ulcers
- Abdominal wounds
- Pressure ulcers
- Skin care related to incontinence
- Traumatic or non-healing surgical wounds
Post-operative ostomy:
- Ileostomy
- Urostomy
- Colostomy
What is an ostomy?
An ostomy is a surgical procedure that creates an artificial opening on the abdominal wall through which waste material passes out of the body from the bowel or urinary tract.
What is a stoma?
A stoma is an opening, either natural or surgically created, which connects a portion of the body cavity to the outside environment. Any hollow organ can be manipulated into an artificial stoma as necessary, such as the esophagus, stomach, colon, or bladder.
What is stoma site marking?
The purpose of pre-operative stoma site marking is to select an appropriate location in an area of the abdomen for surgical placement of a stoma. A poorly located stoma may cause pouching problems, increase potential for leakage, and place undue hardship and emotional trauma on the patient. The best stoma site placement will promote self-care and rehabilitation of the patient.
What is a fistula?
A fistula is an abnormal connection between an organ, vessel, or intestine and another type of tissue. Fistulas are usually the result of injury or surgery, and can also result from infection or inflammation.
For more information, contact:
Nurse Director, Hurley Wound Clinic
Hurley Medical Center
One Hurley Plaza
Flint, MI 48503
(810) 262-9526
