Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) was originally used to treat scuba divers suffering from decompression sickness. Since then HBOT has been shown to be highly effective in treating a number of conditions.
The combination of increased atmospheric pressure and breathing in concentrated oxygen significantly increases the amount of oxygen dissolved in your blood. This provides increased oxygen to the tissues in your body and leads to new tissue growth and healing.
HBOT is often used with medication, physical therapy, or the removal of nonliving tissue to treat a number of conditions, including:
Our Wound and Hyperbaric Centers offer the latest HBOT, with multiple hyperbaric chambers for your scheduling convenience throughout Central Pennsylvania.
When you arrive at the Wound Center you will be asked to change into a cotton gown. Makeup, jewelry and hairspray are not permitted. After you have changed, you will recline in our transparent oxygen chamber.
During your treatment, you will be monitored by one of our trained technicians. A phone inside the chamber allows you to communicate with our staff at any time. You can watch TV or take a nap while inside the chamber.
If your treatment plan includes HBOT, our specialists will take the time to provide detailed information about the process and answer any questions you may have.
Each physician that is credentialed in hyperbaric oxygen therapy services has completed the following:
366 Alexander Spring Rd.
Carlisle, PA 17015
Central Pennsylvania residents suffering from hard-to-heal wounds can now find a wound center right in their backyard – Advanced Wound Healing Center of UPMC Carlisle's unique team of highly-trained physicians, nurses, technicians, and foot specialists can help sufferers get their lives back. They specialize in non-healing wounds – those that have resisted healing after months and even years of traditional treatment. The three main types of wounds treated at the Advanced Wound Healing Center are pressure ulcers, venous ulcers, and diabetic ulcers.
By using well-researched, proven techniques, the Center’s multi-disciplinary team provides healing and relief for patients who previously thought their wounds were irreparable or would ultimately result in amputation.
If you have a sore or wound that hasn’t started to get significantly better in a month, or healed entirely in two months, you should ask your doctor about a referral to the Advanced Wound Healing Center of UPMC Carlisle.
A physician referral is not necessary. Individuals may call the Center directly to make an appointment for evaluation. The evaluation usually includes a physical examination, lab work, and other special tests to determine the flow of blood and oxygen to the wound.
Please note that wound healing often requires a long-term course of treatment. Results are generally not achieved overnight. We urge our patients to have patience and faith, and we will do our very best to help them regain control of their wound healing problem.
If you have any questions or need more information, please feel free to call us at our Carlisle Center at 717-243-1900. We will try to answer your inquiry quickly and help you get the answers you need to take any necessary next steps.
South Hanover Medical Center
3130 Grandview Rd.
Building B, Suite 1
Hanover, PA 17331
UPMC Outpatient Services
Formerly known as Bloom Outpatient Center
4310 Londonderry Rd.
Suite 1A
Harrisburg, PA 17109
90 Good Dr.
Suite 101
Lancaster, PA 17603
Chronic or non-healing wounds are defined as sores that have not significantly improved from conventional treatments. Associated with inadequate circulation, poorly functioning veins, and immobility, non-healing wounds lead to lower quality of life and may lead to amputations. When wounds persist, a specialized approach is required for healing.
That's where the Wound Healing Center can help. Treatments available include debridement, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, dressing selection, special shoes, and patient education, as well as exceptional healing results and clinical outcomes. The Wound Healing Center has a healing rate of 95 percent compared to the national average of 92 percent.
Through a partnership with Diversified Clinical Services (DCS), UPMC Lititz is able to offer a new and comprehensive center offering specialized wound care and hyperbaric medicine. DCS is the world’s largest wound care management company with over 300 hospital partners delivering excellent evidence-based care to patients with chronic wounds. DCS has been the leader in wound care for over 20 years, offering the most advanced modalities such as adjunctive hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). Of special importance to our hospital, DCS Centers traditionally achieve excellent clinical outcomes, including high limb salvage rates, an 88 percent healing rate within 31 median days-to-heal, and extremely high patient satisfaction.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is used as an adjunctive treatment for problematic, non-healing wounds that meet specific criteria; it is expected that 10 to 20 percent of the wound care cases will do so. Throughout HBOT treatments, the patients are monitored to see if the concentration of oxygen has increased in the blood near the wound. If the oxygen level is higher, the therapy is most likely beneficial to the patient.
During the treatments, the patient breathes 100 percent oxygen inside a pressurized chamber, quickly increasing the concentration of oxygen in the bloodstream, where it is delivered to a patient's wound site for faster healing. Essentially, HBOT therapy helps heal the wound from the inside out. This therapy can help reduce swelling, fight infection, and build new blood vessels, ultimately producing healthy tissue. It is also effective in fighting certain types of infections, improving circulation, in stimulating growth of new blood vessels, and in treating crush injuries, osteomyelitis, compromised skin grafts and flaps, brown recluse spider bites and diabetic wounds of the lower extremities.
If you suffer from a chronic or non-healing wound, speak ask your physician about a referral to our Wound Care Center, or contact us directly for an assessment. If you are a candidate for this outpatient program, the Wound Care Center will immediately work with you and your doctor to deliver the following:
You may call the Wound Care Center directly or be referred by your doctor. To make an appointment directly, call 717-299-3020.
Chronic and non-healing wounds can result from a number of factors, including diabetes, poor circulation, trauma, vascular disease, and immobility (which can lead to pressure ulcers, commonly known as "bed sores"). An estimated eight million Americans suffer from chronic wounds. Wounds come from a variety of different medical conditions, and they don't heal for many different reasons.
No. In fact, the Wound Care Center prefers to work with your physician or medical specialist during the treatments. We even keep your doctor informed with frequent progress reports. While you’ll be receiving treatment for your wound from the Wound Care Center, you’ll continue to receive all of your routine care from your primary physician.
Many health plans cover Wound Care Center treatments. Call us to determine what your specific plan covers.
The first appointment consists of an assessment by our skilled wound care team, a review of your medical history, blood tests, and recommendations for your treatment plan. Please be sure to bring to this appointment your medical records, insurance information, a list of current medications, and a list of your allergies. You should expect to spend several hours at the Center.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a safe and evidence-based treatment proven to speed the healing process in certain types of wounds. In fact, many patients find it relaxing! The clear chambers are equipped with televisions and comfortable bedding, so patients are free watch their favorite television shows or a movie, or even sleep. A typical course of treatment involves the patient spending about 90 minutes a day in the chamber five days per week over a four-to-six-week period.
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