Professional partnership improving care
Beaumont Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Centers and Dr. Mikhail Novikov of Wound Care, Skin Care and Minor Surgery Program of Worcester report results in the healing of chronic wounds 10% above national averages since their collaboration began in September 2015. Successful wound care is of primary importance to the maintenance of general health for all populations, and to the care of people living in skilled nursing centers in particular, according to healthcare professionals.
Chronic wounds may affect 6.7 million people in the U.S. The incidence is rising, fueled by an aging population and increasing rates of diseases and conditions such as diabetes, obesity and other debilitating medical conditions. If left untreated, chronic wounds can lead to diminished quality of life due to harmful bacteria, the possible amputation of the affected limb and death.
Each year 2.5 million patients aged 75+ acquire a pressure ulcer, an area of unrelieved pressure over a defined location on the body which results in an insufficient blood supply causing cells and tissue to die. Pressure ulcers are among the most common chronic wounds.
“More than 70% of pressure ulcers are acquired at an acute care hospital—not at a nursing home—despite that common belief,” says Novikov. “We are treating all types of chronic wounds bedside at Beaumont locations and in home visits through SALMON VNA, preventing wound deterioration, avoiding repeat hospitalizations and saving patients time and money by doing so.”
Dr. Novikov, Medical Director of Wound Care and Minor Surgery in Worcester, MA, has been in medical practice for more than 20 years, after completing his internship at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and residency at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, both in Boston, and medical school at IM Sechenov Moscow Medical Academy, Russia. He is a Certified Wound Specialist Physician (CWSP), a member of the American Board of Wound Management Examination Committee, a fellow of The American College of Clinical Wound Specialists (FACCWS) and a member of The Association for the Advancement of Wound Care (AAWC).
Novikov leads multidisciplinary programs at all five Beaumont Centers, each team consisting of a certified wound care nurse, primary nurse, registered dietitian and physical therapist. In wound rounds held weekly, each patient is seen in their own room.
“More than 70% of pressure ulcers are acquired at an acute care hospital — not at a nursing home ”
“We provide truly holistic care by addressing all the factors affecting wound healing. Wound care patients often need protein supplementation, specific devices to relieve wound pressure, diabetic shoes and other measures,” comments Novikov. He also provides nursing education during wound rounds and seminars on advances in wound care to the Beaumont teams.
Beaumont Centers are part of SALMON Health and Retirement. SALMON’s Director of Clinical Services Deb Freedman, RN, BSN, MS, comments “Dr. Novikov’s method aligns with our ‘family-centered’ way of delivering care. Combining current science, highly individual attention and a team approach has measurable benefits, as the recent impressive statistics show.”