Center for Wound Healing & Hyperbaric Medicine
Wound Care - Dealing with Problem Wounds
At any given time almost six million Americans suffer from chronic, non-healing wounds. There are many different types of wounds. Some are associated with complications from diabetes and other related vascular disorders. Other types include pressure sores and traumatic wounds. It can be very frustrating and time consuming to heal these wounds. At the Center, we utilize the most up-to-date approaches to wound healing and remain current in new scientific advances in wound care.
A Team Of Wound Care Specialists
The Center for Wound Care is designed to complement your physician’s services and is committed to the treatment of difficult, non-healing wounds. The Center is made up of a team of professionals that includes:
- Physicians with advanced training in wound management
- Nursing staff trained in the care of chronic wounds
- Technicians who perform non-invasive studies and various therapies
- Experienced staff to assist with appointments, medical records and health insurance processing
Your Wound Treatment Program
You will undergo a thorough diagnostic examination to identify the type of wound you have and the underlying problems causing the wound. After this, a program specifically tailored to your needs will be initiated based on the most effective treatment options.
Your treatment may include:
- Infectious disease management
- Physical therapy
- Vascular evaluation
- Laboratory evaluation
- Nutritional management
- Pain management
- Diabetic education
- Nuclear medicine
- Radiology
- Debridement
Once a treatment plan has been initiated, you will visit the Center on a regular basis for wound care. You will be instructed on how to administer your own wound care at home between visits, as well as how to protect your wound from further complications. You are the most important part of your healing process. Keeping appointments and following directions clearly are critical to attaining a positive healing outcome. Please contact a member of our staff with any other questions you may have regarding your treatment.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Simple & Effective
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a treatment in which the patient breathes 100% oxygen inside a pressurized chamber. The therapy quickly delivers high concentrations of oxygen to the bloodstream, assists in the healing process of wounds and is effective in fighting certain types of infections. It also stimulates the growth of new blood vessels and improves circulation. Therapy is administered daily and the number of therapies you receive will depend on your diagnosis.
When You Arrive At The Center
After an initial consultation and examination at the Center, you will be ready to begin your therapy. When you arrive, you will receive complete instructions regarding your treatment. Before starting, you will change into a 100% cotton garment provided by the Center. For safety reasons, no other clothing may be worn inside the hyperbaric oxygen therapy chamber.
What To Expect During Treatment
Once you are comfortably positioned inside the chamber, the pressure will gradually be increased and the temperature will temporarily rise. You may experience fullness in your ears as a result of the increased pressure. The technician will instruct you in ways to help clear the pressure and relieve any discomfort. Most treatment sessions in the chamber last approximately two hours. While undergoing treatment, you may watch TV or videos, simply relax or even sleep.
Getting Ready For Your Visit
For safety reasons there are certain items not allowed inside the hyperbaric chamber. Please do not wear or bring the following into the chamber during your treatment:
- Makeup
- Perfume
- Aftershave
- Hairspray/hair oils
- Wigs/hairpieces
- Nail polish
- Alcohol or petroleum based products
- Cell phones/pagers
- Metallic items (such as jewelry, titanium frame eyeglasses, keys, watches and coins)
- Flammable materials or heat producing items (heating pad, lighters, cigarettes)
- Hearing aids
- Food, gum or candy
Ask your hyperbaric physician for advice on wearing contact lenses during treatment. You should also refrain from smoking or the use of any tobacco products over the entire course of therapy. Tobacco use will prolong or even prevent healing of a wound site due to its constricting effect on the blood vessels in your body.
If You Are Sick or On Medication
You should inform the staff at the Center if you have a cold or cough, the flu, sore throat, chills, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. Alert the staff to any medications you are taking or changes in medication during the course of your treatment. If you are diabetic, please eat properly and continue to take your prescribed medication to control blood sugar level. Your blood sugar level will also be checked before, during and after each visit to the Center.
The Possibility Of Side Effects
You may experience temporary vision changes that should return to normal a few weeks after your therapy is completed. Our physicians recommend that you not change the prescription of your eyewear during the course of your therapy. Some patients experience fatigue during treatment. This is completely normal.
