A wound that does not heal is an open invitation to infection and potentially serious complications. No matter what type of wound you have, whether big or small, from a burn, injury, animal bite or ulcer, if it does not heal as expected, it may need more than just another clean dressing.

The wound care team at McDowell Hospital stands ready to treat wounds that are not healing properly.  Our doctors, nurses, and therapists are specially trained and certified in techniques that help wounds heal and prevent their progression to infection or gangrene. Our experienced team, advanced technology, and our affiliation with Mission Hospital make McDowell Hospital's Wound Care Center one of the most comprehensive facilities in western North Carolina.

To make an appointment, please call 828-652-3595, or contact us at any time using our online form.

Our Patients

We offer wound care to inpatients at The McDowell Hospital and we provide outpatient treatment for all types of wounds, including:  

• Ulcers
• Burns
• Infections
• Skin tear or laceration
• Traumatic injuries
• Insect or animal bites
• Radiation wounds
• Post surgical wounds or infections
• Wounds caused by bone infections (osteomyelitis)
• Wounds or skin problems from conditions such as diabetes
• Wounds that haven’t healed in 30 days

IMPORTANT – Warning Signs of Infection

An infected wound may be very dangerous. Left untreated, it may lead to amputation or spread into the bloodstream and become life threatening. If you see any of the following warning signs, seek medical help immediately:

• Pus or other drainage from the wound
• Red skin or red streaks
• Swelling or warm skin around the wound
• Foul odor
• Fever
• Chills, fatigue, joint aches

Our Services

McDowell’s experienced physicians and clinicians provide the wide variety of services needed to ensure quality care and treatment of non-healing wounds. After a thorough assessment and creation of a treatment plan, you may receive one or more of our services, including:

• Comprehensive Wound Care: Dressing changes, biological skin substitutes, wound debridement (cleaning), compression wraps, skin grafts, topical treatments to stimulate regrowth and healing, negative wound pressure therapy.
• Ultrasound: Increases oxygen and provides heat to decrease stiffness and pain.
• High Risk Nail and Foot Care: Targeted care for people with diabetes, lower extremity arterial disease, and neuropathy. Certified footwear specialist (pedorthist) available to evaluate and develop orthotics for wounds on feet.
• Ostomy Care: Irrigation, skin care, appliance fitting.
• Manual Lymph Drainage: Gentle massage to stimulate movement of fluid.
• Surgical Intervention: Deep tissue debridement and reconstruction.
• Consultation for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: A treatment that delivers high concentrations of oxygen to help wounds heal more quickly.

Education and Support

We provide services beyond specialized medical treatment at the McDowell Hospital Wound Care Center to help patients and their family members deal with the reality of a wound that is slow to heal. We’re dedicated to teaching you about daily wound care. We take the time to talk about issues related to wounds and how they impact your life. We offer educational brochures and McDowell team members are here to offer support throughout the healing process.

Family members and caregivers are encouraged to come to appointments. We will gladly answer their questions and teach them about wound care products and how to use them.

Preventive Education

People with diabetes and older adults are the most frequent users of wound care services. The steadily increasing incidence of diabetes, combined with an expanding population of older Americans, indicate that the need for chronic wound care may continue to increase. To address this challenge now, McDowell Hospital provides preventive education for our neighbors who are at a higher risk for wound complications. For more information, please call 828-652-3595, or visit our Diabetes Center to learn about our diabetes prevention and control programs.

Our Team

McDowell Hospital’s Wound Care Center is staffed by an experienced, multidisciplinary group of physicians, physician assistants, nurses, therapists and nursing assistants. Our team includes:

• Medical Director board certified in Internal Medicine and Hyperbaric Medicine
• Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon
• Physician’s assistants with expertise in acute and chronic wounds
• Certified Wound Specialist
• Certified foot care specialist
• Physical therapist certified in manual lymph drainage
• Nurses with ostomy and wound care training

Appointments

The physician treating your wound may refer you to the Wound Care Center, but a referral isn’t needed. To make an appointment, please call 828-652-3595.

If you have any questions, or would like more information, please call the above number or contact us using our convenient online form.

Location

The McDowell Hospital Wound Care Center is located at 20 Medical Park Drive, Suite 2, Marion, NC 28752.

Wound Care Hours:

Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

Insurance

We participate with most private insurance plans and will file an insurance claim, but please check with your insurance provider to verify your benefits and their authorization requirements.