Life-Changing Wound Care for Out-of-State MRHC Patient

When Raymond Boyens first noticed a sore on his foot nearly four years ago, he didn’t think it was serious until about three years later.

“We tried to take care of it ourselves for about three months,” Raymond said. “But it just wasn’t healing, and it started to affect everything. I couldn’t walk far, couldn’t go out with friends, and it caused pain all the time.”

Living with diabetes, poor circulation, and rheumatoid arthritis since age 27, his wound steadily worsened. He saw several specialists in Texas, including his primary care doctor, a podiatrist, and a vascular specialist, before his great-niece Leesa Christensen, a surgical technician at Manning Regional Healthcare Center (MRHC), encouraged him to come to Iowa for care.

“Leesa came down to Texas, saw my wound, and took me back to Iowa for care,” Raymond said. “Once I got to the Wound Care Clinic at MRHC, I finally felt like it was going to be taken care of.”

Under the care of Wound Care nurse Kendra Tiefenthaler, RN, BSN, and the MRHC wound‑care team, Raymond underwent six weeks of IV antibiotics and daily cleaning and dressing changes for the wound.

“The care team was extremely helpful,” he said. “The attention I was given was the best thing about the care, and how the doctor and team listened and answered all my questions.”

After several weeks of dedicated treatment, Raymond’s wound fully healed. “The day my wound was healed, I was very relieved and happy,” he said. “I went from using a walker to being able to walk without any assistance.”

Diabetes and Wound Complications

Raymond’s story is a good reminder of how diabetes can complicate even a small wound. Individuals with diabetes are at higher risk for foot-related complications such as neuropathy, vascular disease, and ulcers, according to Tiefenthaler.

“These complications are the leading cause of non-traumatic lower extremity amputations in the U.S.,” she said. “Early intervention from a wound center is key to preventing those outcomes.”

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month, an important time to highlight the risks, warning signs, and prevention strategies for diabetic foot complications. You may be at risk for a foot ulcer if you notice changes in your feet, including:

  • loss of feeling
  • a tingling or “pins and needles” sensation
  • pain when walking or resting
  • sores that won’t heal
  • thick or dry scaly skin
  • stains on socks or shoes
  • new calluses

Simple daily habits like checking your feet, wearing shoes that fit well, and using light-colored socks can help identify issues early and prevent serious complications.

“Diabetes affects blood flow and nerve function, two key factors your body needs to heal,” emphasized MRHC Specialty Clinic Director Elaine Macumber, RN. “Don’t ignore even the smallest wound because a small cut can become a big problem if you have diabetes. Proper wound care and blood sugar control are your best protection.”

Today, Raymond is grateful for his renewed independence. “I can walk on my own again,” he said. “The team at MRHC really knew what they were doing, and they gave me my life back.”

About the MRHC Wound Care Clinic

The Wound Care Clinic at MRHC provides advanced treatment for chronic and non-healing wounds, including diabetic ulcers, pressure injuries, and surgical wounds. Recently recognized with a Center of Excellence Award by RestorixHealth, the clinic’s dedicated team uses comprehensive evaluations and personalized treatment plans to promote healing and prevent complications. To schedule an appointment, call (712) 655-8100.

Wound Care Clinic Receives Clinical Distinction and Patient Satisfaction Awards

wound care team

Biannual award acknowledges superior wound healing rates, excellence in patient satisfaction.

Manning Regional Healthcare Center is pleased to announce that the Wound Care Clinic is a dual recipient of RestorixHealth’s Clinical Distinction and Patient Satisfaction Awards. Recipients of these awards meet or exceed national quality benchmarks over a set period of time.

“The Wound Care Clinic is proud to be recognized again for not only its dedication to healing but also its dedication to patient satisfaction,” said Dr. Thang Luong, M.D. “We are proud to be a recipient of an award that recognizes the hard work and dedication of our staff.”

RestorixHealth’s Clinical Distinction award recognizes centers that have demonstrated success by meeting or exceeding patient safety goals along with a healing rate above 90%. The Patient Satisfaction award recognizes centers that have met or achieved a patient satisfaction score of 96% or higher. The MRHC Wound Care Clinic has now received this dual award three times in addition to a Center of Excellence award in 2019.

The Wound Care Clinic is dedicated to optimizing outcomes and preventing lower limb loss in patients with non-healing wounds. This approach to wound care is aggressive and comprehensive, coordinating traditional and advanced therapies and techniques that are proven to reduce healing time and improve healing rates.

Since non-healing wounds rarely result from a single cause, the Wound Care Clinic begins with a thorough evaluation and diagnostic testing to determine the underlying cause of the wound. A treatment plan is then developed to give patients the best chance for healing. Most treatments are covered by Medicare/Medicaid, HMOs, and other private insurance. wound care team

Manning’s clinic is staffed by Dr. Thang Luong, M.D., Kendra Tiefenthaler, RN, and supported by Elaine Macumber, RN. Integrating a team of wound care professionals optimizes patient care, while offering the most advanced healing options for hard-to-heal wounds.

The MRHC Wound Care Clinic is held every Thursday. For more information about treatment plans or to schedule an appointment, please call 712-655-8100.

About RestorixHealth

RestorixHealth, the nation’s leading wound care solutions company, develops and operates advanced wound healing centers and provides wound healing direct-care services, education, and advanced wound supplies nationwide. Forging strong relationships with their partners, RestorixHealth’s customized wound healing programs and solutions increase the access to care, lower or avoid direct care costs, reduce hospital admissions, improve outcomes, and increase patient and partner satisfaction. For more information, visit www.RestorixHealth.com.

Local Mom Receives Wound Care Close to Home

wound care team

“I never imagined that you could find skin cancer in the form of a lump without having any visual signs on your skin,” said Manning resident, Jeanne Kerkhoff. “I am hopeful that by sharing my story that everyone realizes the importance of self-exams and early detection.”

Jeanne manages the Northwestern Mutual Financial in Manning, is an active community member and volunteer, and has four growing children. In late 2020, Jeanne visited with her primary care provider for what she thought might be a hernia. Further exploration and testing showed evidence of melanoma spreading to her lymph nodes. Thanks to the quick action by her medical team in January 2021, she underwent surgery to remove multiple lymph nodes, began recovery and started receiving immunotherapy.

It wasn’t until her surgical wound would become infected that she would receive care at MRHC.  Jeanne’s surgical oncologist referred her to the Wound Care Clinic at MRHC for ongoing management of her surgical wound.

“I’m so thankful I was able to go to MRHC for the wound care since it’s located in my hometown,” she said. “The wound vac and drainage tubes kept me from maneuvering around and doing things myself,” she added. “I had to rely on my husband and kids to help me out, which was definitely a change for the family.”

wound care team“Dr. Luong and nurse, Kendra Tiefenthaler, were able to help minimize and manage my pain. They also prescribed antibiotics for the infection and Kendra taught me how to clean and change the dressings daily to treat the infection. I was immediately impressed by Kendra’s genuine concern for my care, her efforts to get answers and help me, along with Dr. Luong’s attention and ongoing wound care treatment. The best thing about the care I received was their genuine care and advocacy.”

After seven weekly visits to the wound clinic, Jeanne’s wound was healed. “I was ecstatic! I’m so thankful and blessed to not be attached to any tubes anymore, and I have new empathy for those who do. Kendra and Dr. Luong exceeded all my expectations and provided comfort during a challenging time!”