At any given time, almost six million Americans suffer from chronic, non-healing wounds. Some are associated with complications from diabetes and other related vascular disorders. Other types include pressure sores and traumatic wounds. The Center for Wound Healing at Hancock Regional Hospital use the most up-to-date approaches to wound healing and remain current in new scientific advances in wound care. The Center for Wound Healing is a hospital-based outpatient service located in the new Cardiovascular Services area.

The Center

The Center for Wound Healing has multiple exam rooms, plus a suite with two large, clear acrylic hyperbaric oxygen chambers, each with its own TV/VCR and CD player for patients to watch movies or listen to music during treatment. The completely transparent chambers allow patients to see and be seen.

Who Needs Wound Care?

There are a variety of circumstances in which a person may need wound care. They include, but are not limited to:

• Ulcers (pressure, diabetic, neuropathic or ischemic)
• Surgical wounds
• Vasculitis
• Burns
• Peristomal skin irritations
• Soft tissue radionecrosis
• Actinomycosis
• Preservation of compromised skin grafts and flaps
• Crush injury/acute traumatic peripheral ischemia
• Progressive necrotizing infections (necrotizing fasciitis)
• osteoradionecrosis
• traumatic wounds

Treatment of non-healing wounds

A variety of treatment options are available depending on type and severity of a wound. Treatment may include the following:

• infectious disease management
• physical therapy
• vascular evaluation
• laboratory evaluation
• nutritional management
• paint management
• diabeteic education
• nuclear medicine
• radiology
• debridement (removal of dead tissue)
• hyperbaric oxygen therapy

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therap (HBO)

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy uses 100 percent oxygen under pressure to promote healing. It delivers high concentrations of oxygen to the bloodstream, accelerating the healing rate of wounds. It also stimulates the growth of new blood vessels, which improves circulation.

Hyperbaric Treatment Guidelines

Certain items are not allowed inside the hyperbaric chambers for safety reasons. Please do not bring, or wear, the following items into the chamber during your treatment:

• makeup
• perfume/cologne/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, coins, etc.)
• flammable materials or heat producing items (heating pad, lighters, cigarettes)
• hearing aids
• food, gum or candy

If you have a chronic wound, talk to your physician to see if the Center for Wound Healing can help.

For more information about the Center for Wound Healing, please call 317-468-4920.