When you’re considering a skilled nursing community for your loved one, you want to be sure that they will receive top-notch medical care when they need it. So it helps to know ― What does medical care look like in a long-term care setting?
In a long-term care setting, wounds are fairly common. That’s why Otterbein SeniorLife Cridersville partners with expert wound care professionals like Dr. Scott Wilcher.
Meet the Doctor
A semi-retired general vascular and thoracic surgeon, Wilcher has three decades of experience in medicine. He has performed between 20,000 to 25,000 surgeries over his career and spent years working in the wound clinic at Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio, in addition to running his own private practice in his home city of Dayton, Ohio.
Now, he cares for hundreds of seniors, doing weekly rounds at around 25 skilled nursing communities from Fostoria, Ohio, all the way to Cincinnati and Springfield.
“I like taking care of a population that needs help,” he said. “I like to see wounds get healed up and help relieve suffering. I like being part of a team to help prevent these wounds from ever happening.”
Weekly Rounds at Otterbein Cridersville
Wilcher visits Otterbein Cridersville weekly to care for residents and patients in skilled nursing, post-acute care, and assisted living. While the number of people he sees each time varies, he usually treats between 3-15 seniors each visit.
During rounds, he spends one-on-one time with each resident, assessing their wounds, taking measurements, writing prescriptions, and doing minor surgical procedures. Pressure wounds, such as bedsores, and minor injuries like skin tears are particularly common issues he helps treat.
“The interaction with the residents is pleasant, very nice,” he said. “They’re very well cared for there, and the nursing staff treats them with a lot of love.”
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The Otterbein Difference
Wilcher has seen A LOT of skilled nursing communities, but he is particularly impressed with Otterbein’s team and the quality of care residents receive.
“[Otterbein] does very well with wound care,” he said. “The director of nursing is very, very proactive, and she is on it. Wounds don’t get a chance there.”
Because the nursing staff is thorough and proactive, wound prevention is another area in which Otterbein excels, he notes.
“I usually don't see really bad decubitus ulcers (bedsores) occurring in long-term care because they're so vigilant about them anymore,” he said.
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Looking for Long-Term Care? This Free Guide Can Help
Are you considering long-term care for your loved one but aren’t sure how to begin the process? Download “Your Guide to Finding and Choosing Long-Term Care” from Otterbein SeniorLife ― it’s totally free, and it can help set you on the right path.
