A new location for Jefferson Regional Wound Care Center that incorporates hyperbaric oxygen therapy for the treatment of chronic wounds opened Feb. 1 at Jefferson Regional Health Pavilion, 1000 Higbee Drive, Bethel Park.

Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy has been proven to accelerate the healing process by providing pressurized and concentrated oxygen in a chamber that is monitored by medical professionals. The specialized therapy can provide successful outcomes for a variety of conditions, according to E. Douglas Newton, MD, medical director of the Jefferson Regional Wound Care and Hyperbaric Center, including the treatment of diabetic wounds of the lower extremities.

“Diabetes is very prevalent in our community. Based on demographics that show a large diabetic population, this is a good location to serve patients in this area,” Dr. Newton said, “and it is convenient for those whose treatments require daily therapy for more than a month. They don’t want to have to travel to Pittsburgh.”

Dr. Newton said the two HBO chambers at the Bethel Park facility can accommodate six patients per day, with each session typically lasting about two hours.

Jefferson Regional also has a Wound Care Center location in the South Hills Medical Building on its Jefferson Hills campus. HBO therapy currently is exclusive to its Bethel Park location.

In addition to the recently opened Wound Care Center, a new facility is under construction on the property of Jefferson Regional Health Pavilion, where JRMC Diagnostic Services, LLC, offers a comprehensive array of diagnostic imaging services to include High Field MRI, multi-slice CT, digital mammography, digital x-ray, ultrasound, blood testing and urine testing. The facility is scheduled to open this summer.

In the Photo:

E. Douglas Newton, MD, medical director of the Jefferson Regional Wound Care and Hyperbaric Center, with the hyperbaric oxygen therapy chambers at the Bethel Park location.