Wound Care & Hyperbaric Medicine

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) helps the body's oxygen-dependent, wound-healing mechanisms function more efficiently. While enclosed in a chamber at a greater-than-normal atmospheric pressure, patients breathe pure oxygen, saturating their blood plasma and allowing it to carry from 15 to 20 times the normal amount of healing oxygen to the body's tissues. Another effect of HBOT is vasoconstriction, the benefit of which is a reduction in post-traumatic edema. In effect, HBOT maintains oxygen delivery while blood flow is improved in the microcirculation by the edema-reducing effect of vasoconstriction. Up to 18 percent of wound care patients may require HBOT treatments, provided by physicians at the Wound Care Center, who are specialty-trained in hyperbaric medicine, and our highly trained clinical hyperbaric technicians and staff. 

What Your Patients Can Expect

HBOT is administered in a comfortable environment, attended by our skilled, experienced technicians. Your patient will receive thorough instructions for his or her treatment and assistance with any insurance issues. Most health care plans reimburse for HBOT for currently approved indications. 

Approved Indications for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Below are approved indications for HBOT which are reimbursed by Medicare, HMOs and other insurance providers, and are provided by the Wound Care Center.

The Wound Care Center Provides HBOT for the Following:

• Diabetic ulcers of the lower extremities
• Soft tissue radionecrosis and osteoradionecrosis
• Chronic refractory osteomyelitis
• Compromised skin grafts and flaps
• Actinomycosis

Emergent of Non-Emergent-Dependent on Patient Hemodynamic Situation:

• Crush injury/acute traumatic peripheral ischemia
• Progressive necrotizing infections (necrotizing fascitis)
• Acute peripheral arterial insufficiency

The Growing Need For Wound Care

Each year, there are 1.1 million to 1.8 million new cases and approximately 8 million Americans suffering from chronic wounds. Compelling statistics include:

• 29.1 million Americans-9.3 percent of the population- have diabetes.
• 26.9 percent of people over 65 have diabetes
• 15 percent of all diabetics will develop chronic wounds
• Patients with diabetes have a 10-fold increase in the risk of amputation-approximately 70,000 diabetics will undergo amputation each year
• More than 2 million Americans suffer from venous ulcers
• Acute care pressure ulcer prevalence averages 14 percent

While these numbers show the tremendous need for wound care, there is hope. Studies have shown that wound care treatment facilities have reduced amputation rates and shortened hospital stays.