Everyone has heard that time heals all wounds. However, without advanced therapies, some wounds can take years and even decades to heal. Wounds that do not respond to treatment may lead to amputation in extreme cases. For the benefit of patients with these types of wounds, Forrest General is home to a state-of-the-art Wound Healing Center.

Forrest General's Wound Healing Center features a range of proven, comprehensive wound treatment services to heal chronic wounds that haven't responded to conventional treatment. Patients benefit from the latest in equipment and technology, delivered by local physicians who are specially-trained.

Many different types of patients can benefit from this center, including those suffering from:

• Diabetic ulcers
• Pressure ulcers
• Infections
• Compromised skin grafts and flaps
• Wounds that haven't healed within 30 days

The center features hyperbaric oxygen chambers, which can be used to treat patients suffering from such uncommon ailments as cyanide poisoning, gangrene, carbon monoxide poisoning and the "bends," or decompression sickness.

Lewis Hatten, M.D. serves as Medical Director for the new center.

Physicians inside Forrest General's Wound Healing Center. From left: Drs. Lewis Hatten, Bill Peters, Ralph Kahler and Robert Brahan.