St. Luke's University Hospital - Bethlehem has opened a new Wound Management Center, replacing the location at St. Luke's Union Station on SouthSide Bethlehem.

The new Wound Management Center is at St. Luke's University Hospital - Bethlehem, 801 Ostrum St., at the "A" Entrance at the Priscilla Payne Hurd Pavilion. Hours are 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday - Friday.

Wound centers treat patients with non-healing wounds often complicated by diabetes, vascular problems and other underlying diseases.

"Wound care is about quality of life," said Carol Kuplen, RN, MSN, president of St. Luke's University Hospital - Bethlehem and Chief Nursing Officer, St. Luke's University Health Network.

"Relocating the Wound Management Center to St. Luke's University Hospital will provide closer proximity to the various specialties that are needed to help diagnose and care for each patient. In addition, we are now able to offer hyperbaric oxygen therapy to help speed wound healing."

Hyperbaric oxygen can treat problem wounds, bone infections and the effects of radiation, according to Robert Toth, RRT, CHT, coordinator of the hyperbaric medicine program.

The Bethlehem center is part of a Wound Management program throughout the St. Luke's Network. In addition to the Bethlehem site, Wound Management Centers are at St. Luke's Quakertown Hospital; St. Luke's Allentown Hospital; St. Luke's Miners Hospital, Coaldale; St. Luke's Warren Hospital, Phillipsburg, N.J.

"St. Luke's Wound Management Centers are set apart from other wound centers with the coordination of services for our wound patients," said Joanne Labiak, RN, BSN, CWOCN, CWS, Director of Wound Management for St. Luke's University Health Network.

"We make patients' appointments for necessary testing, hyperbaric treatments and home visits. We help patients more easily manage their respective conditions by coordinating care with long-term care facilities, hospital admissions, oncology and emergency departments, as well as surgical services," Labiak said.

Patients may refer themselves to St. Luke's wound centers if they have a wound that has not shown significant improvement in two weeks or has failed to completely heal in four weeks. Patients should also work with family physicians or other specialists for referrals.

Appointments may be made in Bethlehem by calling 484-526-2440.