Genesis Wound and Hyperbaric Institute Opens 2nd Location At Illini Campus

The Genesis Wound and Hyperbaric Institute is celebrating two years of success by expanding to a second location at Genesis, Illini Campus.

The satellite clinic at 1314 10th St. in Silvis opened recently in response to a growing need for the treatment of hardto- heal wounds. The prevalence of chronic wounds mirrors a national trend that’s related to an increase of obesity, diabetes and heart disease in the U.S.

Patients at the Illini Campus will be seen by Bradley DeWall, M.D. on Mondays.

The Illini clinic has most of the state-ofthe- art treatments offered at the Genesis Wound and Hyperbaric Institute in Davenport. Ostomy care and hyperbaric oxygen treatment are only available at Genesis, West Central Park.

“Physicians have asked for our presence in the Illinois Quad Cities for their patients’ convenience,” Dr. DeWall says. “Our program in Silvis will be first-class. We’re starting with one day a week there but will expand our hours if needed.”

“The Illini Campus clinic in Silvis offers a great location, with easy access,” adds Lori Riessen, RN, WCC, the wound institute’s program director. “We have the same electronic medical records software there, so we can provide the highest level of medical documentation and outcome statistics for wound care. Physicians know we have a proven quality program.”

The institute offers treatment with a focus on safety protocols and quality outcomes for patients experiencing:

• Diabetic ulcers;

• Venous insufficiency ulcers;

• Arterial ulcers;

• Radiation injuries;

• Pressure ulcers (bedsores);

• Outpatient burn care;

• Recurrent wounds; and,

• Non-healing surgical or traumatic wounds (more than 3-4 weeks).

Two years ago, Genesis launched a collaboration with Dr. DeWall and Richard Sadler, M.D., two longtime surgeons and wound care specialists who oversee the institute’s daily operations.

The two co-medical directors brought hyperbaric oxygen therapy to Genesis. Wound care services in Pavilion 2 of the Genesis, West Central Park campus expanded to make room for three hyperbaric chambers. About 10-11 percent of clinic patients will also undergo hyperbaric therapy.

Today, the institute has about 800 outpatient visits and 250 inpatient visits per month.

A future expansion is planned at the wound institute in Davenport. In addition, a registered nurse is now serving as inpatient coordinator to help patients transition from wound care in the hospital to outpatient treatment at the institute.

Dr. DeWall and Dr. Sadler’s passion for wound care evolved over the years after seeing the physical, emotional and social ramifications that chronic wounds can have on patients.

“We improve our patients’ quality of life,” Dr. DeWall says. “I always say, ‘We don’t treat life-threatening disease, but we treat life-changing disease.’“

The institute’s medical directors are board certified in Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine. Many institute physicians are certified in wound care. Many of the nurses are certified in wound care, and hyperbaric technicians are certified in providing hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

“We work hard to determine the epidemiology of their wound,” Dr. DeWall said. “We decide if they need further referrals, vascular studies, orthotics... we see the whole picture and get them the proper referrals needed to treat the underlying disease process.”

Individualized treatment plans can include hyperbaric oxygen therapy, diabetes education, nutritional counseling, home care nursing, home medical equipment and supplies available on site, orthotic and prosthetic services, surgery, occupational or physical therapy, pain management and transcutaneous oxygen monitoring.

Outstanding outcomes

“By using scientific-based wound care guidelines and protocols, we have achieved outstanding healing rates and outcomes,” Dr. Sadler says. “We continuously monitor our data and use the information to strive for even better outcomes and patient care.”

Based against 334 other wound care centers in a national database, the Genesis Wound and Hyperbaric Institute compares quite favorably:

• A healing percentage of 92 percent vs. the benchmark of 84 percent.

• 48 days to heal vs. the benchmark of 62 days.

These outcomes mean fewer hospitalizations, fewer amputations and disabilities. Most of all, they represent hope and an improved quality of life.

“Our patients end up being like family,” Dr. DeWall concludes. “With hyperbarics, for example, we will see them five days a week -- sometimes up to 60 visits. It’s like putting 10 years worth of doctors’ visits into two months. As a result, we get very close with our patients.”