swelling
	infection
	dead tissue
	poor nutrition
	diabetes
	kidney disease
	age
	medications
	cancer
	bleeding disorders

A four-step process, initiated by Dr. Ennis, is designed to promote healing:

1. Accurate Diagnosis
The key factor in the wound healing process is making an accurate diagnosis. This is accomplished by:

	reviewing the patient’s medical history
	conducting a complete physical exam
	performing non-invasive vascular studies
	conducting tissue oxygen and wound blood flow studies
	conducting basic neurological studies
	taking wound measurements
	photographing the wounds for future comparison

All of this information is then entered into a large database that tracks patient progress over time. In order to maintain the best clinical outcomes, the wound treatment team, with the help of our research department, participates in many clinical trials that afford patients the latest technology and keep us at the leading edge of wound care.

2. Treatment and Follow-up
After the preliminary diagnosis is reached, a treatment program is prescribed. The patient is scheduled for follow-up visits and if a significant change is not achieved in two to four weeks, the process is repeated. If necessary, a revised treatment plan is proposed. At this point, advanced wound care technologies might be introduced to the treatment program. These advanced treatments include:

	vacuum therapy
	growth factor therapy
	electrical stimulation
	bioengineered tissue
	tissue ultrasound
	ultraviolet light therapy

Christ Medical Center’s comprehensive Wound Treatment Program promotes the team approach to care at one convenient location. An array of experts have been assembled in the area of orthopedic, vascular and plastic surgery, infectious disease, internal medicine, physical therapy, orthotics and prosthetics (artificial limbs, braces, shoes, inserts, etc.). All the while, the patient's primary care physician is at the center of the established treatment program.

3. Education and Participation
The patient and his/her family receive education on wound healing, and they become important members of the health care team. If a patient’s wound requires complicated arrangements for care, discharge planners, case managers and the department of social services are available to assist in the decision-making process. If needed, a wound treatment unit has been created at a nursing facility near the medical center. The referring physician is kept up-to-date on all testing and progress. Patients see their progress by viewing their weekly photographs and feel empowered with their new knowledge.

4. Prevention and Wellness
After the wound is healed, there is still much work to do. Patients need to:

	alter lifestyle habits
	wear protective devices
	monitor their skin for any signs of recurrences

The Wound Treatment Program is located in the Adult Medicine Center of Advocate Christ Medical Center, a 662-bed, not-for-profit specialty medical center with 24-hour access to a Level I trauma center, operating facilities and a referral base of physicians/specialists available on site. In addition to Dr. Ennis, the Wound Treatment Program is staffed by Farah Hashemi, M.D., enterostomal therapy nurses and medical assistants. Patricio Meneses, Ph.D., heads up the research unit of the Wound Treatment Program, that includes a wound care-specific physical therapy unit. Christ Medical Center is conveniently located in Oak Lawn. It is part of Advocate Health Care, one of the largest health care organizations in the country.

Patients should obtain a referral from their primary care physician before scheduling an appointment.