New Hyperbaric Oxygen Chambers Enhance Care at Outpatient Wound Care Center

Of the 30 million Americans suffering from diabetes, an estimated 25 percent of diabetics will develop a foot ulcer in their lifetime. For those with chronic non-healing wounds and ulcers, the outpatient Wound Care Center at University Hospitals Parma Medical Center now has new hyperbaric oxygen chambers as another alternative treatment.

The advanced treatments available at the Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine Center at UH Parma Medical Center can safely treat wounds to prevent amputations, which nationally occur in 15 percent of diabetic wound cases. Once amputation occurs, 50 percent of patients suffer an ulcer in the opposite limb within five years, and the mortality rate is 50 percent.

“While these numbers show the tremendous need for wound care, there is hope,” says Nicole Milligan, LPN, Program Director. “We specialize in advanced wound care, using a variety of clinical treatments, therapies and support services to treat chronic wounds. Our physician-driven, multi-disciplinary approach to outpatient wound care has a superior success rate in facilitating the healing process.

“We are confident that the hospital’s investment in these state-of-the-art hyperbaric oxygen chambers will further enhance care for our Wound Care Center patients.”

In a clear, pressurized hyperbaric oxygen chamber, the patient breathes 100 percent pure oxygen. Extra oxygen is transported by the patient’s blood to help heal their wounds. The Center now has two monoplace chambers. 

“Studies have shown that hyperbaric medicine is an effective treatment for non-healing wounds,” says Wound Care Center Medical Director Ara Kallibjian, DPM. “Hyperbaric medicine can be used as an adjunct to diligent wound care in obtaining optimal wound closure.”

Medicare has approved coverage for hyperbaric oxygen therapy for many types of chronic, non-healing wounds, including diabetic ulcers of the lower extremities, soft tissue radionecrosis and osteoradionecrosis, chronic refractory osteomyelitis, compromised skin grafts, actinomycosis, crush injury/acute peripheral traumatic peripheral ischemia, progressive necrotizing infections (necrotizing fasciitis).

The Hyperbaric Medicine suite is located across the hall from the Wound Care Center in Medical Arts Center 2, Suite 105. To make an appointment or learn more, call 440-743-4774. A physician referral is not required.