The state of chronic wound care: Executive observations on opportunities and challenges


An estimated 6.7 million people in the U.S. currently live with chronic wounds and their care amounts to annual healthcare costs in excess of $50 billion.

Hospitals and health system leaders looking to address the U.S. chronic illness crisis and improve the health of patient populations should not overlook the importance of chronic wound care. Better outcomes among chronic wound patients can bolster overall hospital performance on key value-based metrics, such as length of stay and readmission rates, as patients with nonhealing wounds are more susceptible to complications.

During an advisory call hosted by Becker's Hospital Review and sponsored by advanced wound care services provider Healogics, Allan Woodward, president of hospital and physician services at Healogics, led seven hospital and health system leaders in a discussion about opportunities and challenges in wound care.

Executive participants were:

  • Debbie Boswell, RN, COO/CNO, CHI Mercy Health Mercy Medical Center in Roseburg, Ore.
  • Robert Fortney, RN, Vice President of Patient Care and CNO, Peru-based Illinois Valley Community Hospital
  • Jeff Finkelstein, MD, Vice President of Medical Affairs, Hartford (Conn.) HealthCare
  • Glenda Reyes, CFO, Winfield, Ala.-based Northwest Medical Center
  • Scott Avery, COO, Paris (Texas) Regional Medical Center
  • Lisa Lochner, Vice President of Operations, Missouri Baptist Sullivan Hospital – BJC HealthCare
  • Robert Folden, Vice President and COO, Dignity Health-Mercy Medical Center Redding (Calif.)

The following ebook is based on the conversation.