Wound Healing & Hyperbaric Medicine
As the population ages and rates of chronic diseases increase, the United States will likely continue to see a rise in chronic wounds. Left untreated, chronic wounds can negatively impact quality of life and could possibly lead to amputation of the affected area.
Wound Healing & Hyperbaric Medicine Services
The Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine Center offers advanced wound care modalities and treatment plans rooted in research. Our specialized team of experts work together to return you to your optimal quality of life. The first step is a thorough evaluation, which includes diagnostic testing to determine the etiology of your wound. An individualized care plan is then developed using evidence-based therapies that are proven to facilitate the healing process, including:
- Compression therapy
- Advanced dressings
- IV antibiotics
- Debridement
- Topical treatments
- Growth factor therapy
- Lymphedema management
- Offloading
- Hyperbaric chamber oxygen therapy
- Negative pressure wound therapy
- Cellular and tissue-based products
- Nutritional counseling
- Diabetes educational programs
The physicians and care teams at the Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine Center work directly with the patient’s referring physician and entire healthcare team to develop and deliver comprehensive treatment plans.
What is HBOT: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a medical treatment sometimes used to treat chronic wounds and other medical conditions. The chamber delivers 100 percent oxygen at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure (sea level).
How does HBOT work: HBOT enhances the blood’s ability to carry oxygen to wound tissue.
Benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy include:
- Accelerates the wound healing process
- Increase oxygenation to all tissues
- Promotes collagen and new skin development
- Reduces swelling and discomfort
- Promotes new blood vessel formation
- Increases capillary growth
- Activates bactericidal activity killing bacteria
Medicare: HBOT is approved by Medicare to treat patients with a variety of medical conditions.
Medical conditions: HBOT is used to treat a variety of medical conditions including diabetic foot ulcers, radiation injuries to tissue and bone, necrotizing infections, compromised skin grafts and skin flaps, some types of arterial insufficiency and ischemia.
Treatment duration: Each treatment will last approximately two hours. Depending on the appropriate prescribed treatment plan, most patients receive between 30 and 40 treatments.
Treatment experience: HBOT is not painful. At the beginning of the treatment, a patient may feel pressure in their ears similar to flying in a plane. While in the chamber, patients are able to watch movies or nap to help pass the time.
Patients are prohibited from wearing the following in the hyperbaric oxygen chamber:
- Makeup
- Wigs/hair pieces
- Nail polish that has been on less than 24 hours
- Contact lenses
- Deodorants, lotions, perfume, aftershave
- Jewelry
- Hair spray/oil
Wound, Ostomy & Continence Care
Wound, Ostomy & Continence Care (also known as WOC) nurses are lifesavers for patients with wounds, ostomy, and continence issues. Their advanced education equips these nurses to treat special conditions and provide counseling and emotional support.
Services are provided in multiple health care settings including inpatient, outpatient, long-term care facility, and home health.
Chronic wounds affect nearly 8 million people in the United States and are often attributed to complications stemming from diabetes, arterial disease, late effects of radiation therapy and other chronic conditions. Incidence rates are expected to rise two percent annually over the next 10 years. Spencer Hospital’s Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine center offers evidence-based wound care to treat chronic wounds and associated co-morbidities.
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