Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a simple but effective treatment in which you breathe pure oxygen inside a pressurized chamber.  The therapy quickly delivered high concentrations of oxygen to your bloodstream which helps increase your body's own natural wound-healing abilities. 

While enclosed in a clear-walled chamber at greater-than-normal atmospheric pressure, patients breathe pure oxygen, saturating the blood plasma and allowing it to carry from 15 to 20 times the normal amount of healing oxygen to the body’s tissues.  Up to 18 percent of wound care patients may require HBOT treatments provided by the Center’s physicians, who are specialty-trained and hyperbaric medicine, and our highly-trained clinical hyperbaric technicians and staff.

HBOT also helps fight certain types of infections, improves circulation and stimulates the growth of new blood vessels.  Therapy is administered daily and the number of therapies you receive depends on your individual treatment plan and prognosis.

Approved indications for HBOT which are currently reimbursed by Medicare, HMOs and other insurance providers include:

• Diabetic ulcer of the lower extremities
• Soft tissue radionecrosis and osteoradionecrosis
• Chronic refractory osteomyelitis
• Compromised skin grafts and flaps
• Actinomycosis
• Crush injury/acute traumatic peripheral ischemia
• Progressive necrotizing infection (necrotizing fasciitis)
• Acute peripheral arterial insufficiency

“When a wound does not respond to regular medical care, advanced modalities like HBOT therapy often help patients heal.”

                                                - Wound Care Center, Medical Director

What to Expect

The chamber has clear sides through which you can see your surroundings, and is in a comfortable treatment room equipped with TV and videos.  Inside the chamber, the pressure is gradually increased and then the temperature will temporarily rise.

The pressure may case fullness in your ears, but your technician will tell you how to clear this and relieve any discomfort.  Treatment sessions may last two hours; many patients simply relax or even sleep while receiving this beneficial therapy.

Some patients experience fatigue during treatments, but this is completely normal.  Your vision may temporary change, but should return to normal a few weeks after your therapy is completed.  Because this change is temporary, we do not recommend changing your eyewear prescription during the course of your treatment.  If you wear contact lenses, ask your hyperbaric physician for advice on wearing them during treatment.

How to Prepare for your Treatment

You will receive complete instructions for your treatment when you arrive.  A comfortable cotton garment approved for use in the chamber will be provided to you.  For your safety, the following are not allowed inside the chamber

• Makeup, nail polish, perfume or aftershave
• Hairspray or hair oils
• Wigs or hairpieces
• Alcohol-or petroleum-based products
• Cell phones or pagers
• Jewelry, titanium frame eyeglasses, keys or other metals
• Flammable materials or heat-producing items
• Hearing aids
• Food, gum or juice

Over the course of your treatment, you should not use any tobacco products, which will constrict blood vessels and prolong or even prevent the healing of your wound.

Let us know if you are ill, take any or have changes to your medications during your treatment.  Your treatment plan is tailored to your individual needs and keeping us in formed of changes, allows us to update your treatment plan.