Berger Hospital Wound Healing Center

Berger Hospital
Wound Healing Center
Advanced Wound Care with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBO)
If you or a loved one has a
wound that has not started
to heal within a month, or
has not healed entirely in two
months, you may have what
is referred to as a “chronic”
or “non-healing” wound.
“My doctor is
recommending
HBO Therapy...
what is HBO?”
Our Team of Wound Care Experts
Work with You and Your Physician
There are many factors that can cause a wound to become
chronic and there are many types of wounds. Some wounds are
associated with complications from diabetes or poor circulation.
Other types result from pressure sores and trauma. Chronic,
non-healing wounds can have serious health consequences and
may adversely affect your quality of life. Our team of experienced
wound care specialists will work with you and your physician to
assess your symptoms, determine the underlying cause of your
non-healing wound, and customize the most effective treatment
plan to stimulate healing.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBO)
Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy is a treatment in which you
breathe 100% pure oxygen while inside a pressurized chamber.
The air pressure inside a hyperbaric oxygen chamber is about
two and a half times greater than the normal pressure in the
atmosphere. This “hyperbaric” (or high pressure) dose of oxygen
helps your blood carry more oxygen to organs and connective
tissues to promote wound healing. HBO also activates the white
blood cells to fight infection. It can be the primary treatment or it
can be used in combination with other treatments.
During your HBO treatment you can
watch your favorite television show,
movie or even listen to music.
HBO therapy is an outpatient procedure that is provided once
daily, for approximately four to six weeks. One treatment takes
around two hours and is quite comfortable for most patients.
Care first. Community always.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBO)
A Patient’s Perspective
What conditions can
be treated with HBO
Therapy?
Many different conditions
have been shown to benefit
from HBO therapy.
Some of the most common
problems are non-healing
wounds (especially in
diabetics), bone infections,
radiation injuries to bone
or soft tissue, burns, crush
injuries, failing skin flaps or
grafts, arterial insufficiency
wounds and sudden
hearing loss.
To learn more about Berger’s Wound
Healing Center, please call:
740.420.8395
What will I feel during HBO treatment?
A specially-trained HBO technician
(or nurse) remains with you during
the entire treatment and is readily
available to answer any questions or
concerns you may have.
Once you are in the chamber and
the door is closed, you will hear
the oxygen beginning to circulate
as the technician starts the gradual
increase in pressure. This is called
compression. Some patients
experience a temporary warmth,
but after the initial compression
period, the temperature will regulate
and be very comfortable. During
compression, you may feel a “full”
or “popping” sensation in your ears
similar to what is felt while flying in
a plane or driving in the mountains.
Your technician will coach you on
how to clear your ears to relieve this
sensation. The compression period
generally last between 10 and 15
minutes.
Once the compression period is over,
the fullness in your ears will cease.
You will remain in the chamber for
1.5 to 2 hours. During this time, you
may rest or sleep, watch television or
listen to music.
Near the end of your treatment, the
technician will gradually decrease
the pressure inside the chamber.
This is called decompression. During
decompression, you will once again
experience a “fullness” or “popping”
sensation in your ears. This is
normal and will resolve once the
decompression period is over.
Are there any side effects to HBO?
Generally, you will experience no
side effects from HBO. However,
some patients report a “crackling”
sensation in their ears between
treatments. This may be relieved
in the same manner you clear
your ears during compression.
As with all medical procedures
and treatments, there are some
side effects that may result from
exposure to hyperbaric oxygen.
These side effects are rare. The
following is a list of some of the
potential risks or side effects of
hyperbaric oxygenation:
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Circleville, OH 43113
Care first. Community always.
•Fatigue
•Numbness in fingers
•Ear fluid
•Oxygen toxicity
•Pain in the ears or sinuses
•Temporary increase in
•near-sightedness
•Temporary improvement in
•far-sightedness
•Maturing or ripening of cataracts