Shared Health Services Blog

Five out of six entries placed across the MarCom Awards, Healthcare Digital Marketing Awards, and Digital Health Awards — including a Platinum for "Compliant Documentation Is Storytelling." These aren't wound care industry awards. They're national creative competitions judged against Fortune 500 companies and major health systems. How did a family-owned wound care partner earn this recognition? By writing for every reader — from CEO to CNA — with clear, accessible, actionable

AI is moving fast from headlines to hospital hallways. For wound care and HBOT programs, the challenge isn’t whether AI will be used — it’s how. From documentation to reimbursement, technology can either equip clinicians or erode trust. This post explores the risks, the patient perspective, and how SHS helps hospitals adopt AI responsibly so programs stay sustainable, compliant, and patient-centered.

Great documentation is more than compliance — it’s storytelling. In wound care and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), every patient record should read like a clear, defensible narrative. From proving HBOT candidacy to building treatment plans and tracking outcomes, each act in the story builds trust, supports reimbursement, and captures the real work happening in the treatment room.

Hospitals are facing a quiet but accelerating crisis — from CMS terminations and reimbursement loss to service line closures, staffing shortages, and compliance breakdowns. This post unpacks the systemic risks hospitals face in 2025 — and how high-performing, audit-ready wound care programs can restore stability, revenue, and care continuity.

When patients have nowhere to go, hospitals are left holding the line — often at the expense of reimbursement, staffing, and patient care. This post unpacks the hidden costs of social holds, how they distort LOS metrics, and what it means for wound care teams managing complex patients in overcrowded systems. Learn how Shared Health Services equips partners to stay focused on healing while navigating today’s discharge challenges.

Signed into law on July 4, 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill offers real funding and reform opportunities for rural hospitals and wound care programs. From $50B in transformation grants to Medicare pay increases and broadband expansion, here’s what rural leaders need to know — and how SHS is helping partners act.

June is Wound Healing Awareness Month — a national effort to raise awareness about chronic wounds, early intervention, and access to advanced care. It’s a chance for hospitals and providers to highlight healing outcomes, educate communities, and strengthen wound care delivery where it matters most.

May is Hyperbaric Awareness Month — spotlighting the role of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in treating chronic wounds and complex conditions. This is a key opportunity for hospitals to highlight HBOT’s healing benefits, educate referring providers, and build support for advanced wound care services.

Wound Healing Awareness Month raises visibility for patients living with chronic wounds and the clinicians who care for them. Millions face delayed healing due to conditions like diabetes, PAD, or infection. This post explores the impact of early referral, education, and access to specialized wound care services.

Wound healing depends on the delicate balance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidants. This post explores how HBOT supports healing at each stage—from inflammation to tissue remodeling—by modulating oxidative stress and promoting fibroblast activity in patients with chronic, hard-to-heal wounds.

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) and venous hypertension are leading contributors to lower extremity ulcers. When valves fail and blood pools in the legs, pressure builds—triggering inflammation, tissue breakdown, and eventual ulceration. This post explains the physiology of venous disease and why early intervention is key to protecting limb health.

Inflammation is a necessary part of healing—but when it becomes prolonged, it disrupts the entire repair process. This post explores how chronic inflammation delays wound healing, prevents collagen remodeling, and contributes to the development of non-healing wounds, especially in high-risk patients.

Not all wound care products are compatible with Collagenase SANTYL. This guide outlines safe pairings, highlights key ingredients to avoid, and helps clinicians make evidence-based decisions when combining enzymatic debridement with other advanced wound therapies.

Venous ulcers often begin with valve failure in the leg veins. As blood pools and pressure rises, tissue becomes damaged, oxygen exchange declines, and ulcers form. This post explains the progression from chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) to venous leg ulceration—plus treatment strategies like ABI testing and compression therapy to support healing.

Hyperbaric nurses are essential to wound care teams—overseeing safety checks, monitoring treatment response, and supporting patients through complex therapy plans. This post explores the multifaceted role of hyperbaric nurses in advanced wound care, from clinical oversight to compassionate care.

Crust, often mistaken for eschar, is a common feature in superficial wound healing. This post explains what crust looks like, when it's part of the normal healing process, and how to distinguish it from deeper tissue concerns. Understanding these visual cues helps clinicians choose the right interventions without disrupting progress.

Wagner Grade 5 ulcers represent the most severe stage of diabetic foot wounds, often involving extensive gangrene and full-foot involvement. In this post, we examine what a Grade 5 wound looks like, why immediate intervention is critical, and how advanced therapies like HBOT may support limb salvage when paired with surgical care.

Osteomyelitis in diabetic foot ulcers can escalate quickly without early intervention. This post explores evidence-backed strategies—like serial radiographs, fine-needle biopsy, and cytokine modulation—to help wound care teams diagnose earlier, treat smarter, and avoid costly complications.

Osteomyelitis is often overlooked in patients with Stage III or IV pressure injuries—leading to delayed diagnosis, prolonged treatment, and missed opportunities for HBOT. This post explores how subtle signs are missed, why surface-level staging isn’t always enough, and what wound care teams can do to strengthen clinical pathways. Learn how SHS supports smarter escalation and better outcomes through early recognition and strategic intervention.

Charcot neuroarthropathy is a devastating diabetic complication that often goes undiagnosed until advanced stages. Early signs—like swelling and redness without an open wound—are commonly mistaken for infection. This post explores the importance of clinical suspicion, podiatric collaboration, and early imaging to preserve function and prevent limb loss.