Advanced Wound Care and Hyperbaric Center
Some things just don’t get better with time
Every year three to five million Americans suffer from chronic wounds brought on by diabetes, poor circulation, or other conditions. The Advanced Wound Care and Hyperbaric Center is solving these problems.
Our skilled practitioners work as a team to assess each patient and develop an exacting treatment plan for that patient’s specific pathology to achieve the most complete healing in the shortest time. Our dedication has helped us reach outstanding levels of success for our patients, something we pride ourselves on attaining and maintaining.
At The Advanced Wound Care and Hyperbaric Center, we bring together the science and the art of healing, successfully treating: Acute wounds, chronic wounds, full-thickness wounds, lacerations, partial-thickness wounds, pressure ulcers, arterial ulcers, venous stasis ulcers, neuropathic (diabetic) ulcers, and surgical wounds.
We Offer Advanced Therapy Options
Our specialized physicians and staff employ many advanced therapy options to promote faster healing. It’s important to note that the sooner these therapies are started, the better the chance of complete recovery.
Our Advanced Therapies include:
- Debridement
- Ultrasonic Mist™ Therapy
- Vac™ Therapy
- Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
- Bio-engineered tissue substitutes
- Specially chosen dressings and wraps
When Should A Patient Be Referred?
A patient should be referred to The Advanced Wound Care and Hyperbaric Center if he or she has:
- A non-healing wound that is not improving after 3-4 weeks
- Any wound involving tendon, ligament, bone, or joint
- Any neuropathic/diabetic ulcer
- Ischemic limb wounds
- Any wound while immune-compromised
- Any wound that is painful and has been present for at least 3 weeks
Upon referral, one of our specialists will evaluate the wound, as well as reviewing the complete medical history. We perform baseline blood tests and wound cultures on each patient. Some patients require specialized tests, such as Transcutaneous Oxygen Monitoring (TCOM)* or Ankle Brachial Index (ABI)**, which yield important information about blood and oxygen flow in the wound area.
As important to our patients as our treatment is keeping the referring physician completely informed and involved in the patient’s regimen. The physician receives update letters twice a month, healed letters, and, when needed, phone calls to ensure the best treatment for patients.
*Transcutaneous Oxygen Monitoring measures oxygen values using heated polargraphic electrodes to determine if sufficient oxygen is reaching the area to be healed in the hyperbaric environment. TCOM is a strong indicator of whether or not hyperbaric treatment can be effective.
**Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) is a non-invasive procedure that can predict how severe an individual’s atherosclerosis is, demonstrate the absence or presence of Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD), and the risk of future let problems, such as future leg rest pain, poor healing of foot wounds, need for leg bypass sugery, or amputation.
WHAT EVERY DOCTOR NEEDS TO KNOW!!
Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatments Increase Quality of Life by Decreasing Amputations. Closing Recurring Wounds, and Reducing the Total Time of Treatment for Chronic Wounds
What is Hyperbaric Medicine (HBOT)?
A Medical treatment in which the patient’s entire body is placed under increased atmospheric pressure, in a pressurized chamber, while breathing 100% oxygen. Through a series of daily treatments, the building of new blood vessels into damaged tissue is enhanced. This method of treatment is proven effective for non-healing wound, osteomyelitis that does not respond to standard treatment, problem surgical wounds, and skin grafts and flaps that are having trouble healing. HBOT is also helpful with patients experiencing complications from radiation therapy. In about 80% of cases, significant healing is seen. Remember, good wound oxygenation is essential for wound healing. Oxygen influences angiogenesis, epithelialization, and resistance to infection.
What conditions are Medicare approved for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
Currently there are 15 Medicare approved conditions for which HBOT is indicated, these are:
|
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
|
Caused by inhaling poisonous gas, which can build up in homes, buildings, garages, automobiles, etc. due to inadequate ventilation of furnaces, engines, stoves, fireplaces, etc.
|
|
Diabetic Wounds of Lower Extremities
|
Non-healing wounds complicated by secondary effects of diabetes. One study showed 80% of diabetic ulcers recurred within 3 months without HBOT – compared to only a 20% recurrence within 5 years with HBOT.
|
|
Compromised Skin Grafts
|
Caused by swelling and/or inadequate blood flow to grafts/flaps
|
|
Acute Peripheral Arterial Insufficiency
|
Caused by sudden loss of blood flow due to a clot or blockage of an artery leading to loss of limps
|
|
Necrotizing Infections
|
Caused by “flesh-eating” bacteria, which progressively destroy tissues
|
|
Crush Injuries
|
Crushing can result in a lack of blood flow to the soft tissues of the body
|
|
Acute Traumatic Peripheral Ischemia
|
Caused by sudden loss of blood flow to an extremity due to injury
|
|
Gas Gangrene
|
Caused by poison-producing bacteria that destroy tissues
|
|
Osteoradionecrosis
|
Caused by radiation damage to the bones from cancer treatment
|
|
Chronic Refractory Osteomyelitis
|
Caused by persistent bone infection often leading to amputation
|
|
Soft Tissue Radionecrosis
|
Caused by radiation damage to the bowels, bladder or skin from cancer treatment
|
|
Decompression Illness
|
The “bends” occurs in scuba diving accidents from ascending to quickly
|
|
Gas Embolism
|
The obstruction of a blood vessel by a gas bubble, which can occur in surgery, ICU patients and scuba divers
|
|
Cyanide Poisoning
|
Cyanide gas is released in fires from carpet, sofas, other household and various industrial materials
|
|
Actinomycosis
|
An infection of the sinuses or airways
|
