Typically, the body heals its own wounds. The process takes a couple of weeks with minor injuries, longer with more challenging wounds. Sometimes, though, the natural healing process doesn’t work as it should.
A wound might be infected, or it may be a repeated injury. Sometimes there is poor blood flow to the injured area or other health conditions such as diabetes prevent healing. More challenging wounds take time and extra care to heal properly. These may be crush injuries or various types of ulcers, including diabetic foot ulcers or ulcers caused by delayed effects of radiation. They could even be complicated post-surgical wounds. That’s where specialized wound care can help.
The Utah Valley Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine Center plays a crucial role. The skilled and experienced staff at the Center includes board-certified physicians, certified wound care nurses, ostomy nurses and hyperbaric technologists. A wound care specialist gives a thorough examination to determine the factors hindering the body’s natural healing process. After this examination, a team of specialists will develop a care plan tailored each patient’s specific needs. The plan will include one or more of the following items, depending on needs:
- A physical examination of the wound
- A complete medical history
- A nutrition analysis
- Tests to measure oxygen level in the blood and the blood flow to the wound
- Infection control
- Topical treatment and dressings
- Compression therapy
- Surgical intervention and plastic surgery
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
- Education on diet, lifestyle and wound care measures patients can take at home to treat their wounds and prevent future wounds
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy provides 100 percent oxygen to patients under pressure, helping heal damaged tissues, reduce swelling and improve circulation. It actually increases the amount of dissolved oxygen in the blood, so more oxygen is delivered to injured tissue. This stimulates small blood vessel and skin growth, and helps fight infection.
During treatment, patients breathe pure oxygen that dissolves into the blood at high pressure — the same pressure as diving 33 to 66 feet below sea level — in a special chamber that allows them to enjoy listening to music or watching videos during therapy. As the pressure increases or decreases during treatment, patients experience sensations similar to those of flying or traveling to high elevation, and a patient’s ears will pop as pressure builds and is released. Otherwise, no discomfort should be experienced.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is useful when treating the following conditions:
- Nonhealing wounds, such as diabetic ulcers and ulcers caused by delayed effects of radiation
- Carbon monoxide poisoning, smoke inhalation or damage from other inhaled toxins
- Gas gangrene and necrotizing soft tissue infections (flesh eating bacteria)
- Decompression sickness
- Radiation damage to bone and tissues
- Failing skin grafts
The Utah Valley Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine Center is located at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center, on the southwest side of the campus. To schedule an appointment or for more information, please call (801) 357-8156.