Hyperbaric Medicine
At any given time, half a million Americans may be suffering from a chronic wound. Man y of these are caused by peripheral vascular disease, often further complicated by long-term diabetes. Numerous other conditions can result in wounds that fail to respond to traditional treatment, such as:
- Infections following surgery
- Radionecrosis of bone or soft tissue (destruction of tissue by radiation)
- Non-healing traumatic wounds
- Compromised amputation sites
- Diabetic neuropathy
Because these types of chronic wounds may not respond to conventional therapy, the patient could face the loss of a limb. But now there is hope for selected patients, thanks to advances in hyperbaric medicine.
What are Common Uses For Hyperbaric Medicine?
- Gas gangrene
- Crush Injuries
- Preparation for and preservation of skin grafts or flaps
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
- Decompression sickness
- Chronic refractory osteomyelitis
- Acute air or gas embolism
- Osteoradionecrosis
- Acute peripheral arterial insufficiency
What is Hyperbaric Medicine?
Previously, hyperbaric medicine was used primarily to treat divers who suffered from decompression sickness. In recent years, the use of hyperbaric medicine has greatly expanded, to include the treatment of selected patients with chronic wounds.
How Does Hyperbaric Treatment Work?
The patient breathes pure oxygen while subjected to increased barometric pressure, forcing the oxygen into the tissues where it acts as a healing agent. The beneficial mechanisms of hyperbaric oxygen therapy include those resulting from increased saturation of oxygen in the blood stream and tissues, where the oxygen acts as a drug. Studies have shown the hyperbaric therapy may be effective in from 50 to 80 percent of selected patients with problem wounds which have defied traditional therapy.
How is Hyperbaric Treatment Administered?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves the use of a pressurized chamber that simulates submersion to at least 2.4 atmosphere (or 45 feet) underwater. Once the chamber has been pressurized to the desired depth, the patient breathes the pure oxygen intermittently. Members of the hyperbaric staff accompany patients inside the chamber during every treatment. An average treatment session lasts approximately 2.5 hours, once per day.
Is it safe?
Though any medical treatment has some degree of risk, the hyperbaric medicine department at Bay Medical Center takes appropriate steps to ensure the patient's safety. The new hyperbaric chamber meets all international, federal, state and hospital safety guidelines. All patients must be screened by staff physicians before being approved for treatment. All treatments are attended by specially trained physicians and staff who are highly experienced in the practice of hyperbaric medicine.
Will Insurance Cover Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
Most insurance plans, including Medicare and Blue Cross/Blue Shield provide coverage. To maximize patient convenience and control costs, treatment is administered on an outpatient basis whenever feasible.
How Do I Make An Appointment?
Patients may be referred to the Bay Medical Hyperbaric program by their physicians, with whom we collaborate during treatment. Patients with problem wound conditions should consult with their physicians to determine if hyperbaric oxygen therapy is appropriate. All patients are returned to their private physicians following completion of treatment.
Wound Prevention & Management
For wound care patients with diabetes, the Bay Medical Diabetes Center focuses on education, screenings and support for families and individuals dealing with the disease. In addition, Bay Medical Center's rehabilitative services offers therapy for wound management.
For more information about chronic wound care and hyperbaric medicine at Bay Medical Center, please call (850) 747-6100.