Hyperbaric Patient Guide

Welcome to the Comprehensive Wound Healing Center
Your physician has determined that you are a candidate to receive hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) as part of your problem wound treatment plan. Following is information about HBOT and the important guidelines which you should follow carefully. This course of treatment can be highly beneficial, but you, the patient, must be committed to success and knowledgeable about the process. We encourage you to ask our staff any questions you might have.

Hyperbaric oxygen treatment is used to treat a variety of conditions including:

• Enhancement of healing in selected problem wounds
• Crush injuries
• Necrotizing soft tissue infections
• Osteomyelitis
• Radiation tissue damage
• Skin grafts and flaps
• Diabetic wounds of the lower extremity
• Acute traumatic injury

Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment: Simple & Effective
Hyperbaric oxygen treatment is a treatment in which the patient breathes 100% oxygen inside a pressurized chamber. The treatment quickly delivers high concentrations of oxygen to the bloodstream, assists in the healing process of wounds and is effective in fighting certain types of infections. It also stimulates the growth of new blood vessels and improves circulation. A treatment profile is administered daily and the number of treatments you receive will depend on your diagnosis.

When You Arrive at the Center
After an initial consultation and examination at the Center, you will be ready to begin your treatment. When you arrive, you will receive complete instructions regarding your treatment. Before starting, you will change into a 100% cotton garment provided by the Center. For safety reasons, no other clothing may be worn inside the hyperbaric oxygen treatment chamber.

What to Expect During Treatment
Once you are comfortably positioned inside the chamber, the pressure will gradually be increased and the temperature will temporarily rise. You may experience fullness in your ears as a result of the increased pressure. The technician will instruct you in ways to help clear the pressure and relieve any discomfort. Most treatment sessions in the chamber last approximately two hours. While undergoing treatment, you may watch TV or videos, simply relax or even sleep.

Getting Ready for Your Visit
For safety reasons there are certain items not allowed inside the hyperbaric chamber. Please do not wear or bring the following into the chamber during your treatment:

• Makeup
• Perfume
• Aftershave
• Hairspray/hair oils
• Wigs/hairpieces
• Nail polish
• Alcohol or petroleum based products
• Cell phones/pagers
• Metallic items (such as jewelry, titanium frame eyeglasses, keys, watches and coins)
• Flammable materials or heat producing items (heating pad, lighters, cigarettes)
• Hearing aids
• Food, gum or candy

Ask your hyperbaric physician for advice on wearing contact lenses during treatment. You should also refrain from smoking or the use of any tobacco products over the entire course of treatment. Tobacco use will prolong or even prevent healing of a wound site due to its constricting effect on the blood vessels in your body.

If You Are Sick or on Medication
You should inform the staff at the Center if you have a cold or cough, the flu, sore throat, chills, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. Alert the staff to any medications you are taking or changes in medication during the course of your treatment. If you are diabetic, please eat properly and continue to take your prescribed medication to control blood sugar level. Your blood sugar level will also be checked before, during and after each visit to the Center.

The Possibility of Side Effects
You may experience temporary vision changes that should return to normal a few weeks after your therapy is completed. Our physicians recommend that you not change the prescription of your eyewear during the course of your treatment. Some patients experience fatigue during treatment. This is completely normal.

Other Information
Hyperbaric oxygen treatment is usually administered on an outpatient basis. If you drive, you may drive yourself to the Center for treatment and should allow up to two and a half hours for each visit. Medicare and most health care plans reimburse for hyperbaric oxygen treatment for “currently accepted indications.” Our courteous and professional staff are available to assist you with all your personal insurance issues.

For more information, please click the links below. Viewing these files requires Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you are unable to view these files, please click here to download this program.

A Guide to Off-Loading
A Guide to Arterial Ulcer Care
A Guide to Diabetic Ulcer Care
A Guide to Pressure Ulcer Care
A Guide to Venous Stasis Ulcer Care
A Guide to General Skin and Wound Care

We look forward to serving you. Please contact a member of our staff with any other questions you may have regarding your treatment schedule.