EMH Healthcare Opens Wound Care Center in Westlake

EMH Healthcare has opening its second wound care center, this one in Westlake, on Center Ridge Road.

The facility opened today; a ribbon cutting is set for Oct. 23.

Located within the Premier Physicians Health Center at 25200 Center Ridge Rd., the EMH Westlake Wound Care Center is designed to provide the highest level of care for patients with wounds that are difficult to heal due to illness or injury. 

The Westlake facility is in addition to the EMH Elyria Wound Care Center, which opened in July 2008.

A high number of chronic wounds is part of the reason why the center is opening.

More than 8 million people in the U.S. suffer from chronic wounds of which healing has been impeded by such diseases and conditions as diabetes, obesity, aging and the late effects of radiation therapy. 

The EMH Westlake Wound Care Center, like its sister facility in Elyria, will be staffed primarily by physicians with the Premier Physicians group, including Medical Director Dr. Habib Khoury.  “Our team of physicians is Northeast Ohio’s largest multispecialty group practice, and we are pleased to work with EMH Healthcare to bring this service to our patients,” Khoury said. “The Premier Physicians philosophy is to offer patients quality, compassionate and affordable healthcare, and through the EMH Westlake Wound Care Center, we are able to expand our services even further.”

Filling a niche

The opening of the EMH Westlake Wound Care Center brings a much-needed service to the people of Westlake and surrounding communities, EMH health care administrators said.

Currently there is no other wound care provider within the city limits.

At EMH’s Elyria Wound Care Center, the staff is on pace to treat 650 new wound care patients in 2013.

Dr. Donald Sheldon, president and CEO of EMH Healthcare, believes the new EMH Westlake Wound Care Center will fill a niche.

“We are thrilled to introduce this essential service to the people of Westlake and beyond,” Sheldon said. “With the skill and expertise of the Premier Physicians group, as well as the evidence-based approach to healing utilized by Healogics, I am confident that the EMH Westlake Wound Care Center will quickly become an important part of the Westlake healthcare community.”

A he latest wound care techniques, including bioengineered tissue, will be utilized at the EMH Westlake Would Care Center.

The facility features two state-of-the-art hyperbaric oxygen chambers, outfitted with flat screen TVs and premium sound systems for patient enjoyment during treatments. 

The facility allows patients to watch television, a DVD or listen to a CD while 100 percent oxygen helps heal their wounds. Patients will also find flat screen televisions in each treatment room.

Likely candidates for treatment at the new center are those suffering from diabetic ulcers, pressure ulcers, infections, radiation injuries to soft tissue and bone, compromised skin grafts and flaps, and wounds that haven’t healed within 30 days.

A ribbon cutting will take place on Oct. 23.

EMH president and CEO Dr. Donald Sheldon, Westlake Mayor Dennis Clough and

Premier Physicians’ CEO, David Appel will be in attendance.