MCHC WOUND CARE PROGRAM RECOGNIZED

    A local healthcare program that may not be immediately apparent to many in the area has gained national recognition for its success in treating chronic, non-healing wounds. Marshall County Healthcare Center (MCHC), led by Certified Nurse Practitioner Amanda Schmieg, recently earned the prestigious Center of Excellence Award from RestorixHealth, a national wound care solutions company. This award recognizes the center for meeting and exceeding key clinical, operational, and patient satisfaction benchmarks between July and December 2024.
    The Wound Care Program at MCHC has been a vital part of the hospital for approximately five years, providing much-needed care for patients dealing with complex and difficult-to-heal wounds. These patients are often elderly, diabetic, or recovering from surgery. This program addresses those needs by offering treatments that may otherwise require travel to larger cities.
    The program was developed in partnership with RestorixHealth, which reached out to MCHC and other rural hospitals about bringing advanced wound care services to the area. RestorixHealth, a company that specializes in wound care solutions, manages wound centers and offers services like hyperbaric oxygen therapy, home wound care, and outpatient clinics. Through this collaboration, MCHC gained access to specialized supplies, training, and support for their wound care program.
    Schmieg, who has been at MCHC for six and a half years, says that her path to wound care was a natural progression of her nursing career. “I was new to MCHC, and this was a good way to grow my practice,” she explained. “I had done wound care as a hospital nurse, and I found it gratifying.” To prepare for her role in the program, Schmieg took part in computer training, shadowed doctors, and completed additional specialized education to become certified in wound care.
    The wound care services offered by Schmieg and a specialized nurse from Aberdeen are aimed at treating chronic wounds that have not healed properly or are slow to heal. These can include wounds that require regular dressing changes or more intensive interventions such as debridement, a procedure to remove damaged tissue and promote healing. “When I’m doing debridement, I have to open up the wound. If it’s not healing, sometimes you have to get rid of the unhealthy tissue to give the wound a better chance to heal,” Schmieg explained. “The goal is always to heal the wound, no matter how long it takes.”
    Schmieg’s clinic runs every Tuesday morning and typically sees 2-3 patients a week, though the number can rise to 6-7 during busier weeks. Many of the patients are chronic wound sufferers who return regularly for follow-up care, while others heal and “graduate” from the program once their wounds are fully treated. “I love watching patients graduate from the program,” Schmieg said. “It’s very rewarding to see them get better.”
    The recent award highlights MCHC’s success in achieving high patient satisfaction, improving clinical outcomes, and maintaining operational efficiency. In response to the award, a spokesperson for RestorixHealth commented, “We are proud to be recognized for the consistent, high quality of care our wound center provides to patients each day. This well-deserved achievement reaffirms our commitment to excellence in wound care, from a positive patient experience to clinically optimized outcomes, which can only be achieved with the effort and dedication of our center staff, providers, and support from the hospital.”
    “Amanda and crew have achieved great success with patients and healing wounds,” emphasized MCHC CEO Nick Fosness. “It’s not an attractive subject, but a structured approach to wound care healing has been a wonderful addition to our health care services.”
    Schmieg expressed her pride in the recognition, adding, “We are proud of the program. We have good healing rates, and we’re able to get patients on their way to recovery.” Her team’s success in treating these chronic wounds speaks to the dedication of the healthcare providers at MCHC and their ability to offer specialized care to a rural population.
    For those in need of wound care services, Schmieg encourages individuals to consider the program, especially given the convenience of local treatment options. To inquire about the Wound Care Program or to schedule an appointment, individuals can call the MCHC clinic at 605-448-2253.