Wound care is a growing specialty, Dr. Richard Brietstein along with his partner Dr. Neil Strauss and new associate Dr. Jorge Rivera all podiatrists; have developed a strong interest in this area. Brietsteins group is based at University Hospital in Tamarac but will be soon opening an additional office in eastern Broward County to service patients in that area. Brietsteins group is affiliated with five hospital wound care centers including Florida Medical Center, University Hospital, Coral Springs Medical Center, Northwest Medical Center, and North Broward Medical Center.
Much of Brietsteins practice involves treating patients with chronic non-healing wounds caused by a number of different etiologies but overwhelmingly from diabetic complications and venous insufficiency. The practice performs wound care related surgery consisting of debridements, reconstructive procedures, skin grafts and amputations when indicated. He has been in practice for more than 30 years and for the past 22 years Brietsteins focus has been on wound care. Brietstein was responsible for opening the first wound care center in Broward County approximately 17 years ago at Florida Medical Center.
“We are very specific in our approach to care,” Brietstein said. “Our heal rates have been very satisfactory. Patients are pleased when we can save a limb that previously would have been lost to amputation. We have the ability to salvage limbs, prolong patients lives and allow them to live more productive lives.” Brietstein often accomplishes this through a multi-disciplinary approach with vascular surgeons, plastic surgeons, infectious disease specialists, endocrinologists, and other medical specialists.
Dr. Richard Brietstein (right) and Dr. Neil Strauss
It was this desire to improve the lives of patients and to solve their wound care related problems that motivated Brietstein to enter the wound care field. He had observed that the wound care field previously was a hodgepodge of hit and miss treatment approaches without a concise strategy of treatment.
“I see this as a very exciting specialty,” Brietstein said. “The science of wound care is continually evolving with tremendous strides in research. We have new products and dressings used in treating wounds.”
Brietstein has found that the practice of wound care has become far more disciplined and sophisticated. “We now use very sophisticated materials and treatment is tailored to wound etiology, clinical findings, and to the overall medical condition of the patient. The field is more organized and I am proud to be a part of it.”
For example, wound care physicians now use laboratory bio-engineered skin grafts that have reduced the necessity of utilizing autologous skin. The laboratory grown skin is removed from its packaging and applied to the wound often in the out-patient wound care center.
“With the use of these materials we are able to cover exposed bone and tendon,” he said. This allows a patient to heal faster with decreased susceptibility to infection.
“Our main goal is to heal patients in the most expeditious manner without compromising their overall medical condition,” Brietstein said. We are often dealing with elderly sick patients. It is not uncommon for patients to undergo open-heart surgery prior to undergoing debridements or vascular limb saving procedures. We are aggressive with our diagnostic testing so that we can uncover a reason why wounds are not healing properly.”
Brietstein would also like to see the practice grow. “We are talking to two more doctors and want to expand,” he said. “We are excited about what is happening with our practice. Our objective is to deliver high quality care and work with patients to achieve positive outcomes.”
