Wound Healing and Infusion Services at Hill Country Memorial has added the position of a full-time Nurse Practitioner. Whitney Brown-Tompkins, NP, is seeing patients as a care provider in the clinic, according to Greta Hartmann, PT, CWS, Director.
“This is a big change for our department,” Hartmann said. “For many years, our long-term patients have known Whitney as their nurse. Having her here as the Nurse Practitioner allows us to see more and different types of patients.”
Brown-Tompkins is also a Certified Foot Care Nurse and Certified Wound Ostomy Continence Nurse. Wound Healing and Infusion Services address a range of such issues, according to Hartmann.
“We're in the business of getting the skin to close when it doesn't want to, for whatever reason.”
For wound care, they treat openings in the skin that might include pressure ulcers, bed sores, diabetic foot ulcers, and any wound that has not healed in two weeks. The team also manages ostomies and ports, and lymphedema treatment.
The wound care department operates with a team of 11 that includes physical therapists and RNs. Claudia Ubinas-Frias, MD, is the Medical Director. The department encompasses the adjacent Infusion Center.
“If you have an infection that needs an intravenous antibiotic or other infusion procedure, we have the same professionals take care of you at the same location,” Hartmann said. “That's unique and a real benefit to our patients.”
Wound Healing teams also work closely with HCM Home Care. This is especially convenient for patients with mobility issues or who might otherwise be unable to leave the house. Home Care nurses will carry out the orders from doctors and providers in between visits from the team.
Patients can self-refer or be referred by their Primary Care Physician.
Wound Healing and Infusion Services are located in the Eckert-Smith Office Building, 1009 S. Milam St., Fredericksburg. They may be reached at (830) 997-1265 or <www.hillcountrymemorial.org/services/wh/>.