The Case for Specialized Wound Care

A chronic wound is a manifestation of one or more underlying conditions that becomes visible on the skin. Included are wounds with the following etiologies: pressure, venous, arterial, diabetic, non-healing surgical, cancer-related, inflammatory, and mixed etiologies. Approximately 8 million Americans have chronic wounds. The incidence of chronic wounds is highest among the 8 percent of the total US population who are diabetic, which The Centers for Disease Control estimates at almost 26 million Americans. The literature suggests that approximately 15-25 percent of diabetic patients eventually develop foot ulcers. The recurrence rate at two to five years is greater than 50 percent, with 15-24 percent eventually requiring amputation. According to Reiber's Nationwide Inpatient Study, the length of hospital stay for a diabetic patient with a foot ulcer surpasses that of myocardial infarction and stroke. As the worldwide prevalence of obesity continues to grow at epidemic rates, the incidence related disease including heart disease, vascular insufficiency and diabetes increases dramatically.

A specialized approach to the treatment of chronic wounds is required to cost-effectively and efficiently manage a community's wound needs. Diversified Clinical Services, Inc. (DCS) is the nation's largest outsourced provider of wound management services with approximately 325 hospital partners.

Read more about DCS' comprehensive, physician-driven approach to wound care.