Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Advanced Wound Care Treatment

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Advanced Wound Care Treatment

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBO) is an advanced treatment for non-healing and traumatic injuries. Healogics offers hyperbaric treatment, or HBO, at our Wound Care and Hyperbaric Therapy Centers.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Can Accelerate Wound Healing

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, or HBO, is commonly used for these conditions:

• Diabetic wounds of the lower extremities
• Crush injuries and suturing of severed limbs
• Delayed effects of radiation injuries, such as osteoradionecrosis and
  soft-tissue radionecrosis
• Preparation and preservation of compromised skin grafts
• Chronic refractory osteomyelitis
• Carbon monoxide poisoning and gas gangrene
• Severe anemia, gas embolism, sudden hearing loss, and frostbite

We offer hyperbaric oxygen therapy at our Centers to give you convenient access to a well-regarded oxygen treatment therapy with a high rate of success in wound healing. Patients are generally very satisfied with this painless technique, during which you can watch a movie or just relax.

How Does Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Work?

At Healogics, we believe in helping you understand your treatment options so you can feel confident in your care. One of our most effective advanced treatments is hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and we’d like to share with you the science behind how it works to accelerate your healing.

Think of hyperbaric oxygen therapy as giving your body’s natural healing processes a powerful boost. During treatment, you’ll breathe pure oxygen while relaxing in a specially designed pressurized chamber. This isn’t just regular air – it’s 100% oxygen delivered under increased atmospheric pressure, typically two to three times greater than normal air pressure.

Here’s what happens in your body during this process:

Under normal conditions, your blood carries oxygen primarily through red blood cells. However, when you breathe pure oxygen under pressure, something remarkable occurs. The increased pressure allows your blood plasma – the liquid portion of your blood – to carry significantly more oxygen than usual. This oxygen-rich blood then travels throughout your body, delivering healing nutrients to areas that may have been starved of oxygen due to poor circulation or damaged blood vessels.

This enhanced oxygen delivery creates an environment where your body can heal more effectively. The increased oxygen levels in your blood and tissues help stimulate the growth of new blood vessels, reduce inflammation, and boost your immune system’s ability to fight infection. For diabetic wounds, which often struggle to heal due to poor circulation and compromised immune function, this extra oxygen can make a significant difference in your recovery.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is typically administered in one of two types of chambers, both designed with your comfort and safety in mind. MonoPlace chambers are designed for individual treatment, providing a private, comfortable space where you can relax during your session. MultiPlace chambers can accommodate several patients at once, offering a more social environment. Regardless of which type of chamber is used for your treatment, you’ll be closely monitored by our trained professionals throughout each session.

We know that trying a new treatment can feel overwhelming, but our team is here to guide you through every step of the process. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has helped countless patients achieve better healing outcomes, and we’re committed to making your experience as comfortable and effective as possible.

Hyperbaric Chamber Therapy: What You Can Expect

Knowing what to expect can help ease any concerns about your HBO treatment. Our goal is to make your experience as comfortable and stress-free as possible.

Your hyperbaric oxygen therapy sessions typically last about 90 to 120 minutes. Most patients require multiple sessions over several weeks, with treatments usually scheduled once or twice daily, depending on your specific needs. Our team will work with you to create a treatment schedule that fits your lifestyle.

Before each session, our team will help you prepare by ensuring you’re wearing appropriate clothing (cotton garments) and have removed any items that could pose a safety risk. During treatment, you may feel a sensation similar to being in an airplane during takeoff and landing as the pressure changes. Many patients find the experience relaxing and use the time to rest, listen to music, or even nap.

Our trained technicians monitor you throughout each session to ensure your comfort and safety. We’re here to answer any questions and address any concerns you may have during your sessions.

Safety Guidelines and Considerations for Hyperbaric Treatment

At Healogics, your safety is our top priority. We follow strict Medicare guidelines and maintain stringent protocols to ensure every hyperbaric oxygen therapy treatment is both safe for patients and team members. Our commitment to safety means that every aspect of your care is carefully monitored and regulated.

Before beginning treatment, you’ll undergo a thorough medical evaluation by our qualified healthcare professionals. This comprehensive assessment ensures that hyperbaric treatment is appropriate for your specific condition and health status. We carefully review your medical history, current medications, and overall health to create the safest possible treatment plan for you.

While hyperbaric oxygen therapy is generally safe and well-tolerated, there are certain conditions and considerations we must address:

• Medical Contraindications: HBO isn’t recommended for patients with untreated pneumothorax (collapsed lung) or certain other medical conditions. Our medical team will carefully evaluate your health history to ensure your safety.
• Potential Side Effects: Some patients may experience middle ear discomfort, similar to what you might feel during air travel. In rare cases, this can lead to ear barotrauma or temporary hearing changes. Our trained staff will teach you techniques to help equalize ear pressure and monitor you closely throughout treatment.
• Anxiety and Comfort Concerns: We understand that some patients may feel anxious about being in an enclosed space. If you experience claustrophobia or anxiety, please let us know. Our compassionate team has extensive experience helping patients feel comfortable and relaxed during treatment.

Our Commitment to Safety Standards

Healogics facilities are regulated and accredited for safety, reflecting our unwavering commitment to the highest standards of care. We give special attention to every safety protocol, ensuring the well-being of every patient who walks through our doors. Our team members undergo continuous training, and our equipment is regularly maintained and inspected to meet or exceed all safety requirements.

Rest assured that when you choose Healogics for your hyperbaric oxygen therapy, you’re choosing a team that puts your safety and well-being first. We’re here to answer any questions or concerns you may have about the safety aspects of your treatment.

Proven Benefits of Hyperbaric Treatment

Hospitals and wound care professionals around the nation are increasingly embracing hyperbaric oxygen therapy because of its remarkable ability to enhance the body’s natural healing processes. At Healogics, we’ve witnessed firsthand how this advanced treatment transforms patient outcomes and accelerates recovery in ways that traditional therapies alone cannot achieve. This therapy doesn’t just treat symptoms – it helps to address the underlying physiological challenges that prevent wounds from healing properly.

Comprehensive Healing Benefits:

• Enhanced Infection Fighting: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy supercharges your body’s ability to fight infection by increasing the effectiveness of white blood cells and enhancing the action of certain antibiotics. The high levels of oxygen create an environment that many harmful bacteria cannot survive in, giving your immune system an advantage.
• Reduced Inflammation and Swelling: The therapy helps reduce inflammation and edema (swelling) around wound sites, creating better conditions for healing. This reduction in inflammation allows nutrients and healing factors to reach damaged tissues more effectively.
• Combating Oxygen Deprivation: Many chronic wounds suffer from hypoxia (oxygen deprivation), which severely impairs healing. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy directly addresses this problem by delivering high concentrations of oxygen to oxygen-starved tissues, jumpstarting the healing process.
• Stimulating New Blood Vessel Growth: One of the most remarkable benefits is the therapy’s ability to stimulate angiogenesis – the growth of new blood vessels. This process, called neovascularization, creates new pathways for oxygen and nutrients to reach healing tissues, establishing a foundation for long-term healing success.
• Improved Surgical and Injury Recovery: Whether you’re recovering from surgery or dealing with an injury, hyperbaric oxygen therapy can potentially improve your outcomes. The enhanced oxygen delivery supports faster tissue repair, reduces complications, and can shorten overall recovery time.

The power of hyperbaric oxygen therapy is evident in the remarkable healing outcomes we see in our patients. These visual results demonstrate how the therapy can help even the most challenging wounds progress from problematic, non-healing states to successful closure and recovery.

Evidence-Based Success

For patients who meet comprehensive screening criteria for hyperbaric oxygen therapy, treatment outcomes show:

• Faster wound closure rates
• Reduced risk of amputation
• Decreased infection rates
• Improved quality of life
• Better long-term healing outcomes

At Healogics, we’re proud to offer this proven therapy that has helped thousands of patients achieve healing when other treatments have fallen short. The science behind hyperbaric oxygen therapy continues to evolve, and we remain committed to providing our patients with the most advanced, evidence-based treatments available.

The Healogics Wound Science Initiative has a database of more than 5 million wounds and partnerships with academic and scientific leaders, helping to advance wound therapy, including treatments like hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Right for You?

Determining if hyperbaric oxygen therapy is the right treatment for you involves a careful evaluation. At Healogics, we work closely with you and your referring physician to ensure this advanced therapy is both safe and appropriate for your specific condition.

Ideal Candidates

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is particularly beneficial for patients with chronic wounds that haven’t responded well to conventional treatments. This includes diabetic foot ulcers, pressure wounds, radiation-related tissue damage, certain infections, and other conditions deemed appropriate by your medical team. If you’ve been struggling with a wound that won’t heal despite proper care, you may be an excellent candidate for this therapy.

The Evaluation Process

Before treatment begins, you’ll undergo medical tests and evaluations to ensure your safety. Our specially-trained wound care team will review your health history and current medications and perform necessary assessments to determine if hyperbaric oxygen therapy is right for you.

Your Safety Comes First

We carefully screen all patients to identify any conditions that might make hyperbaric treatment unsuitable. Certain medical conditions, such as untreated pneumothorax or severe claustrophobia, may require alternative treatment approaches. Our goal is to ensure that every patient who receives hyperbaric oxygen therapy can do so safely and effectively.

If you’re curious whether hyperbaric oxygen therapy could help your healing journey, we encourage you to speak with your healthcare provider or contact a Wound Care Center® directly. Our experienced team can help determine if this proven treatment is the right next step for you.

Where to Receive Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

When seeking hyperbaric oxygen therapy, it’s crucial to choose a trusted and certified facility that prioritizes your safety and treatment outcomes. Not all hyperbaric programs are created equal, and selecting the right provider can make a significant difference in your healing journey.

What to Look for in a Hyperbaric Facility

A quality hyperbaric therapy center should be properly accredited, staffed by trained medical professionals, and equipped with state-of-the-art chambers that meet rigorous safety standards. Look for facilities that follow established medical protocols, maintain comprehensive safety procedures, and have experienced wound care specialists who understand the complexities of chronic wound treatment.

Healogics is at the forefront of advanced wound care, guided by our mission: FIND. TREAT. HEAL.™ This simple yet powerful statement reflects our commitment to finding solutions for even the most challenging wounds, treating patients with the most advanced therapies available, and helping them achieve complete healing.

Our dedication to this mission has made us the nation’s largest network of wound care and hyperbaric therapy centers, with locations across the country staffed by highly trained wound care specialists. We’ve helped thousands of patients overcome chronic wounds through our comprehensive approach, which includes hyperbaric oxygen therapy as one of our advanced treatment options.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hyperbaric Therapy

We understand that you may have questions about hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Here are answers to the most common questions our patients ask:

How Many Sessions Are Needed for Hyperbaric Therapy?

Treatment plans are individualized, depending on your specific condition and how you respond to therapy. Most patients receive between 30 and 40 treatments, with each session lasting between 90 and 120 minutes. People typically receive one treatment per day, Monday through Friday, though your doctor will determine if you need more frequent sessions. Keeping all your scheduled appointments gives you the best chance of achieving optimal healing results.

What Should I Expect During Each Treatment?

Before each session, a Wound Care Center® team member will check your vital signs, examine your ears and lungs, and perform necessary safety checks. If you have diabetes, we’ll also monitor your blood sugar levels. The good news is that hyperbaric oxygen therapy is not painful. At the beginning of treatment, you may feel pressure in your ears similar to what you experience during airplane takeoff. This pressure can be easily relieved by swallowing, yawning, or gently opening and closing your mouth.

What Should I Wear to My Hyperbaric Treatment?

For safety reasons, you’ll need to wear 100% cotton clothing during your treatment. We’ll provide you with specific guidelines about appropriate attire and items that cannot be brought into the chamber, such as petroleum-based products, certain medications, or electronic devices.

Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Safe?

Yes, when administered by trained professionals in accredited facilities like Healogics, hyperbaric oxygen therapy is very safe. We follow strict safety protocols and conduct thorough pre-treatment evaluations to ensure your safety. Our staff monitors you throughout each session, and all our equipment meets rigorous safety standards.

Will I Experience Any Side Effects?

Most patients tolerate hyperbaric oxygen therapy very well. The most common side effect is temporary ear discomfort due to pressure changes, similar to what you might feel when flying. Some patients may experience mild fatigue after treatment. Serious side effects are rare, and our medical team will discuss any potential risks specific to your condition.

How Will I Know if the Treatment Is Working?

Your wound care team will regularly assess your progress throughout your treatment plan. Many patients begin to see improvements in their wounds within the first few weeks of treatment. Your healthcare providers will monitor healing progress, take measurements, and may photograph your wound to track changes over time.

Will My Insurance Cover Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?

Many insurance plans, including Medicare, cover hyperbaric oxygen therapy when it’s medically necessary and provided for approved conditions. Our team will work with you to verify your insurance coverage and help navigate any authorization requirements before beginning treatment.

Remember, a personalized plan of care will be developed specifically for you. If you have additional questions not covered here, don’t hesitate to ask our knowledgeable team. We’re here to ensure you feel comfortable and informed throughout your treatment journey.

Resources on Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

For healthcare professionals and patients seeking additional evidence-based information on hyperbaric oxygen therapy, the following resources provide valuable insights into current research findings, treatment protocols, and clinical applications. These studies and expert analyses offer a comprehensive view of HBO therapy’s role, especially in diabetic wound care, examining both its therapeutic potential and the factors that influence treatment outcomes.

• Novel research approach to HBO therapy effectiveness in diabetic foot ulcers
• Analysis of patient adherence impact on HBO therapy success rates
• Expert clinical perspective on HBO therapy for diabetic wound management

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBO)

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) is a treatment that increases the amount of oxygen blood cells can carry. It has been used for more than 70 years to improve healing in tissues deprived of oxygen. Studies show it significantly improves healing for some types of chronic wounds.

What to Expect at Your Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Appointment

Research shows that HBO therapy may help you heal faster and offers proven results for many types of problems and chronic wounds. Learn more about hyperbaric oxygen therapy and what to expect at your appointment. Click here to find a Wound Care and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Center near you.