Wound Care

Millions of people suffer needlessly from chronic nonhealing wounds — such as those caused by diabetes, poor circulation, injuries and other conditions — that keep them from doing things they enjoy.

Most wounds can be treated successfully by a primary care physician. However, when wounds have not healed after several weeks, they may require specialized care such as that provided by the Wound Care Program at the Southwest Healthcare System.

Why Choose Southwest Healthcare System Wound Care Program?

• Positive Outcomes: We constantly work to achieve the best possible healing outcomes.
• Patient Satisfaction: Our treatment specialists will work with you as a team to help your wound heal quickly. We can help with education and support, as well as exceptional treatment of your wound.

Your Experience with Us

During your first appointment, we'll conduct an extensive examination and evaluation of your wound. After test results are available and evaluations are complete, we will develop a treatment program tailored to meet your special needs.

You’re an Important Member of Our Team

You and/or your caregiver will receive detailed instructions on changing dressings and how to best protect the wound from further injury. Because your success can depend on how you follow home-care instructions, we encourage you to stay in close communication with the Wound Care Program and Southwest Healthcare System so that you will feel comfortable being a part of the team.

Our Team Includes Your Primary Care Physician

The staff at Southwest Healthcare System's Wound Care Program works with your primary care physician. We will keep your doctor informed of your progress unless instructed otherwise. 

Hyperbaric Indications

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a procedure in which a patient breaths 100 percent oxygen while relaxing in a pressurized chamber.

While today’s hyperbaric chambers are technologically advanced, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy was developed in the late 1800s and first used to treat decompression sickness (“the bends”) among deep-sea divers who rose to the surface too quickly.

At our unit, hyperbaric oxygen therapy is administered by pressurizing the chamber with 100 percent oxygen to an equivalent of 2.4 atmospheres. Patients will then breathe 240 percent more oxygen than they would breathe outside the chamber. This increases the level of oxygen delivered to the tissues and augments wound healing and repair.

The Chamber

The Wound Care Program at Southwest Healthcare System has two hyperbaric chambers that are equipped with advanced safety and comfort features. These machines have the capability to perform a Transcutaneous Pulse Oximetry vascular assessment while patients are receiving their treatment to help physicians closely monitor the level of benefits received.

Accepted Indications for Treatment

The staff at Southwest Healthcare System's Wound Care Program uses the hyperbaric chambers to treat:

• Selected nonhealing wounds, such as diabetic foot ulcers
• Compromised skin grafts and flaps
• Chronic bone infections (refractory osteomyelitis)
• Radiation tissue damage such as Osteo Radiation Necrosis of the Jaw (ORN)
• Crush injury
• Necrotizing soft tissue
• Gas gangrene

Important Benefits

• Increased oxygen to tissues
• Increased healing of wounds
• Increased blood vessel formation
• Reduced swelling
• Reduced Infection
• Preservation of compromised tissue
• Stimulation of new bone formation
• Decreased size of life-threatening air bubbles in the blood
• Reduced effect of specific toxic substances
• Potentiation of antibiotics

Vascular Assessment

The Wound Care program at Southwest Healthcare System uses advanced vascular assessment technology, including:

• TCP02 assessment (Transcutaneous Pulse Oximetry)
• Laser Doppler monitoring
• Ankle-Brachial Index assessment

Every lower extremity non-healing wound is scheduled for a vascular assessment. If a vascular compromise is found and determined to be the cause for the nonhealing wound, patient would be referred to a vascular surgeon for a minimally invasive revascularization procedure.

Our Caring Specialists

Treating physicians, nurses and technicians in the Wound Care Program have been specially trained in hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The physician coordinates care directly with referring physicians to determine patient treatments. We use a multidisplinary approach to wound care, and other specialists may be part of the team.

Types of Wounds Treated

Chronic and nonhealing wounds and ulcers due to:

• Diabetes
• Trauma
• Pressure ulcers
• Surgical incisions
• Venous stasis
• Animal bites
• Arterial disease
• Vascular disease
• Radiation wounds
• Other wounds that resist healing

Treatment Plans

Treatment plans are designed differently for each patient. Some treatment plans include:

• Hyperbaric services
• Additional medical tests
• Specialized dressings
• Specialized outer wraps
• Removal of unhealthy tissue
• Infection control
• Bio-Synthetic grafts
• Vacuum-assisted wound closure
• Nutritional guidance
• Mist therapy
• Walking casts