Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) helps the body’s oxygen-dependent, wound-healing mechanisms function more efficiently. While enclosed in a chamber at greater-than normal atmospheric pressure, patients breathe pure oxygen, saturating their blood plasma and allowing it to carry from 15 to 20 times the normal amount of healing oxygen to the body’s tissues.
Another effect of HBOT is constriction of the blood vessels, the benefit of which is a reduction in post-traumatic swelling. In effect, HBOT maintains oxygen delivery while blood flow is improved by the reduction in swelling.
Up to 18 percent of wound care patients may require HBOT treatments, provided by physicians at the Boone Hospital Wound Healing Center, who are specialty-trained in hyperbaric medicine, and our highly trained clinical hyperbaric technicians and staff.
What to Expect
HBOT is administered in a comfortable environment, attended by our skilled, experienced technicians. You will receive thorough instructions for your treatment and assistance with any insurance issues.
Most health care plans reimburse for HBOT for currently approved indications including:
- Diabetic ulcers of the lower extremities
- Soft tissue radionecrosis and osteoradionecrosis
- Chronic refractory osteomyelitis
- Compromised skin grafts and flaps
- Actinomycosis
- Crush injury/acute traumatic peripheral ischemia
- Progressive necrotizing infections (necrotizing fasciitis)
- Acute peripheral arterial insufficiency