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The Wound Care Center at Odessa Regional Medical Center represents a comprehensive resource for the treatment of patients with chronic, non-healing or difficult wounds, as well as non-wound related conditions approved for Hyperbaric Oxygen (HBO2) Therapy. A service of ORMC, the center is staffed by experienced physicians, and other healthcare professionals, who are trained in wound management and hyperbaric medicine. These professionals employ the latest wound care treatment strategies including HBO2 Therapy.
The treatment plan may consist of conventional wound treatment strategies, HBO2 Therapy or both. Your treatment plan and progress will be communicated to your referring physician.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy may play a significant role in promoting healing as part of a patient's wound care treatment plan that may also include surgery, antibiotic therapy and physical rehabilitation. Most wounds require an average of 20 to 40 HBO2 Therapy treatments. A minimum of six days of HBO2 Therapy per week is necessary for full benefit.
How Does Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Work?
Cells within our body rely on oxygen to remain healthy and function normally. Oxygen provides vital nutrients and energy to those cells without which our cells would be disabled. When our body’s cells are disabled, our tissue is malnourished which delays or prevents the healing process.
Injury, poisoning or disease can disrupt oxygen delivery to our cells, depriving bones and soft tissue of their required oxygen resulting in compromised health, risk of long-term medical complications, or even death. The normal air and pressure that we live in is not enough to deliver oxygen to the deprived cells.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy delivers 100 percent oxygen under pressure to cells. During HBO2 Therapy, patients breathe pure oxygen while in a hyperbaric chamber in which the atmospheric pressure is increased up to three times normal pressure.
The combination of increased pressure and oxygen in high concentration results in a great amount of oxygen being dissolved into the cells (10 – 15 times the normal amount). This dissolved oxygen penetrates areas of the body that, under normal conditions, cannot be penetrated with oxygen. This revitalizes cells and tissue. The increased oxygen levels in the cells and tissue stimulates the healing process, increases ability to fight infection, decreases swelling and aids in the growth of new blood vessels. These benefits cannot be achieved by breathing normal amounts of oxygen under normal atmospheric pressure.
What Conditions Can Be Treated By Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
- Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
- Decompression Illness
- Gas Embolism
- Gas Gangrene
- Acute Traumatic Peripheral Ischemia
- Crush Injuries
- Necrotizing Infections
- Acute Peripheral Arterial Insufficiency
- Compromised Skin Grafts or Flaps
- Chronic Refractory Osteomyelitis
- Osteoradionecrosis
- Soft Tissue Radionecrosis
- Cyanide Poisoning
- Actinomycosis
- Diabetic Wounds of Lower Extremities
What Is The Hyperbaric Chamber Experience?
There are three stages of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: compression, treatment and decompression. All stages are painless. Clinical staff trained in hyperbaric medicine will monitor the process under the supervision of a physician. A special intercom system allows for constant communication. In addition, the chamber is made from a clear acrylic material allowing full view of the surroundings.
During the compression stage, patients may notice pressure in their ears similar to the sensation felt when changing altitude in an airplane, driving in the mountains or riding an elevator in a tall building. The hyperbaric staff coaches patients on the many ways to relieve the pressure in the ears, should this occur.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBO2) was once used primarily to treat undersea divers with decompression sickness (also known as the “bends”). Today, HBO2 Therapy has won praise as a highly effective medical treatment by many medical specialties including orthopedic surgery, surgery, oncology, plastic surgery, otolaryngology (Ear, Nose and Throat), oral-maxillofacial surgery, wound care, infectious disease and podiatry.
Through clinical and academic work, additional medical applications for HBO2 Therapy are continually being developed. Over the past decade, HBO2 Therapy has been effective in increasing the recovery time of soft tissue and bones affected by radiation treatment and decreasing the risk of complications before and after certain surgeries.
Wound Care Center at ORMC
The use of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) is an adjunctive therapy. Below is some helpful information regarding appropriate conditions for HBO treatment.
Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Covered By My Insurance?
In most cases Medicare and other health insurance payors cover all or part of the cost for HBO2 Therapy, depending upon the specific condition. Our staff will help determine health insurance benefits related to HBO2 Therapy.
How to Find Us
The Wound Care Center is conveniently located on the West Campus of Odessa Regional Medical Center. For more information about the Wound Care Center at Odessa Regional Medical Center, call 432-582-8635.
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