Bernard Healthcare establishes treatment unit for chronic wound care, diabetic foot ulcers

At the launch ceremony, Dr. Phan Duy Kien, vascular surgeon at Bernard Healthcare, said that the first wound care patient treated at the Bernard Clinic was in March 2021, just before the outbreak of Covid-19.

Throughout the pandemic, Bernard doctors have made efforts to save the limbs, and sometimes lives, of patients with severe and complicated infected wounds related to diabetes, either not diagnosed early or with interrupted treatment due to the pandemic.

Bernard Wound Care is at 22 Phan Dinh Giot, Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo courtesy of Bernard Healthcare

Since then, the number of wound care patients seeking examination or being referred to Bernard has increased steadily, with over 1,000 consultations and treatments, where diabetic foot ulcers account for more than 50%.

Other common chronic wounds include venous ulcers, arterial ulcers, pressure ulcers, burns, and scars. This led Bernard to invest in a specialized outpatient wound care unit at 22 Phan Dinh Giot, Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City.

According to Dr. Kien, in hospitals, when a department develops to a certain extent, it often needs to be separated into specialized units to meet practical needs. Establishing a specialized wound care unit becomes essential when the field of wound care expands and requires more in-depth attention. This is a common practice in healthcare, where the hospital model includes a center, department, unit, or subspecialty.

Nguyen Nam Phuong, CEO of Bernard Healthcare, said that the medical field is challenging, and wound care is even more demanding. “From the perspective of private healthcare, if we think about business and profits, Bernard will not typically invest in wound care. Most wound care patients face difficult circumstances while pursuing a treatment that can extend over many months, incurring high costs.”

Nguyen Nam Phuong, CEO of Bernard Healthcare. Photo courtesy of Bernard Healthcare

According to Phuong, Bernard is having a new generation of young doctors to continue Dr. Tran Doan Dao, who has helped to heal thousands of wound care patients for four decades, leaving a rich legacy in developing wound care in Vietnam.

Bernard invests in infrastructure and technology, extending its reach with doctors to assist wound care patients and help them not to struggle and suffer the regrettable consequences.

“The more we involve ourselves, witnessing the extreme physical pain and mental exhaustion that suddenly turns into emotional ecstasy as one is reborn in a healthy body, the more empathetic and determined we become,” said Nam Phuong.

Chronic wounds: a silent epidemic

According to Dr. Tran Doan Dao, Chairman of the Medical Advisory Council of Bernard Healthcare and former Head of the Burns and Plastic Surgery Department at Cho Ray Hospital, wounds appear in almost every medical specialty. A wound that is not cared for, treated correctly, and promptly can lead to chronic non-healing wounds, with the risk of infection, necrosis causing pain, and the consequence of amputation or limb section.

Dr. Tran Doan Dao, Chairman of the Medical Advisory Council of Bernard Healthcare and former Head of the Burns and Plastic Surgery Department at Cho Ray Hospital. Photo courtesy of Bernard Healthcare

In essence, chronic non-healing wounds are wounds that do not heal within 4–8 weeks. Any wound can become chronic, especially in patients with underlying conditions such as diabetes, chronic venous insufficiency, or heart failure.

Currently, globally, chronic non-healing wounds are considered a “silent epidemic.” In Vietnam, there is a significant demand for wound care and treatment, but wound care specialization is a relatively new field.

Dr. Dao pointed out that the establishment of the specialized wound treatment unit at Bernard Wound Care is to “reduce pain, heal, and limit complications.” It serves as a reliable place for people to confidently seek examination and treatment, allowing wound patients access to advanced treatment methods.

Bernard Wound Care, focusing on diabetic foot ulcers, also emphasizes professional training. Experts from Bernard Wound Care participate in teaching and presenting at reputable wound and vascular conferences worldwide.

It has strategically collaborated with healthcare institutions in the region (Singapore, Taiwan) and plans to expand professional cooperation with specialized wound centers worldwide (Europe, the United States) to enhance service quality and provide the best treatment opportunities for patients, said Dr. Dao.

“Wound Care” and Community Programs

In the announcement ceremony, the book “Wound Care,” edited by Dr. Dao along with collaborators, was introduced. The book is divided into two chapters covering various topics related to common wounds, such as fluid wounds, pressure injuries, diabetic foot ulcers, peripheral arterial ulcers, burns, and scars.

Dr. Tran Doan Dao, along with collaborators, at the introduction of the book “Wound Care,” edited by himself. Photo courtesy of Bernard Healthcare

As a specialized book, compiled and non-commercially printed (not for sale), with the purpose of sharing specialized knowledge in wound care and treatment, the book has received positive feedback from leading experts and inspired medical students, young doctors, and nurses entering the field of wound care, contributing to the training and development of healthcare personnel in this field in Vietnam.

In addition to book distribution, Bernard Wound Care, along with Dr. Dao and the team of doctors involved in compiling the book, will conduct a series of activities to introduce the book to hospitals and medical schools in Ho Chi Minh City and provinces.

Simultaneously, Bernard Wound Care will implement community programs, conduct screening to prevent complications of diabetes-related ulcers, and provide free examinations and treatments for patients with difficult-to-heal wounds facing difficult circumstances.