Wound care

For most people, dealing with a wound is a simple matter. The body's natural healing process takes care of cuts, sores, spider bites and other injuries to the skin and underlying tissue. However, if you have a wound that has not begun to heal using conventional treatment methods within two weeks or is not completely healed after six weeks, your wound is classified as "chronic." In these cases, it should be evaluated by one of our wound specialists.

We use a multidisciplinary care model that addresses your entire health, not just your wound.

At our wound care center, you may receive treatments that include:

• Diabetes education
• HBOT
• Infectious disease management
• Laboratory evaluation
• Nutritional management
• Occupational therapy
• Pain management
• Physical therapy
• Radiology testing

At our facility, you have access to HBOT for wound care treatment. HBOT takes place in a pressurized hyperbaric chamber, where you breathe in 100 percent pure oxygen. This quickly increases the amount of oxygen in the bloodstream. As a result, more oxygen reaches the wound site and leads to faster healing.

How hyperbaric chambers work

HBOT is an evidence-based treatment option known to promote faster healing in certain types of wounds. This therapy works by fighting off infections and building new blood vessels, which facilitate healthy tissue production. HBOT is an effective treatment option for diabetic wounds of the lower extremities, soft tissue radiation injuries, osteomyelitis and compromised skin grafts or flaps.

Preparing for HBOT

Our hyperbaric chamber is made from a clear acrylic, so you can see what is happening outside the chamber during treatment. They are equipped with televisions and comfortable bedding, so you can relax, sleep or watch a movie.

When coming to our hospital for your first HBOT treatment, please do not wear or bring:

• Alcohol or petroleum-based products
• Flammable materials
• Hearing aids
• Makeup, nail polish, perfume or aftershave
• Metallic items
• Wigs or hairpieces, hairspray and hair oils

You also should stop smoking or using any type of tobacco product during the course of treatment. Tobacco use can prolong or prevent healing of a wound site due to its effect on the blood vessels.

Be sure to inform your technician about any medications you are currently taking or changes in medication during the course of treatment. If you are diabetic, please eat properly and continue to take prescribed medications to control blood sugar levels.

Additionally, please inform one of our staff members prior to treatment if you have:

• Chills
• Cold or cough
• Diarrhea
• Flu
• Nausea
• Sore throat
• Vomiting

During HBOT

Once you are comfortably situated inside the hyperbaric chamber, the pressure will gradually be increased and the temperature will temporarily rise. When the desired pressure is reached, the temperature will be adjusted to your comfort.

You may experience fullness in the ears due to the increased pressure. Our technicians are available during treatment to instruct you on ways to clear the ear pressure and relieve discomfort.

A typical HBOT course involves 90-minute sessions inside the chamber five days per week. Treatment typically spans four to six weeks. When your session ends, the chamber is returned to a normal pressure and the temperature will begin to cool.

You may experience temporary vision changes that should return to normal following completion of therapy. We recommend not changing your eyeglasses prescription during the course of treatment. If you feel fatigued during treatment, this is completely normal.