Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Advanced Wound Healing for Patients in the Greater Cleveland Area
Tissues of the human body require a sufficient supply of oxygen to function. When tissue is injured, and when chronic wounds are slow to heal or resistant to healing, even more oxygen is required for the tissue to survive and to prevent health risks, including loss of limbs or life-threatening conditions. Southwest General Health Center’s comprehensive approach to treating wounds involves the option for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy to be used as a supplement to traditional treatment methods.
What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)?
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is a medical treatment that involves delivering high doses of pure 100% oxygen into the body. Patients breathe pure oxygen through specialized headgear while sitting in a pressurized cabin, similar to that of an airplane. In the cabin, where air pressure can be increased as much as three times higher than normal air pressure.
Under these conditions, the lungs gather more oxygen than they would at normal air pressure, and the oxygen is dissolved in the blood to be used by the body in many ways, including:
- Reducing swelling
- Controlling infections
- Stimulating growth of new blood vessels
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is a well-established treatment that has been shown to be extremely beneficial in healing or reducing the severity of wounds. Conditions treated with HBOT include:
- Non-healing diabetic foot wounds
- Compromised skin grafts/flaps
- Chronic bone infection
- Bone/tissue injury resulting from radiation therapy
Your Treatment Experience
Southwest General has established an HBOT Center that includes a patient intake area and pressurized cabin-equipped trailer. These facilities provide the highest level of technology available for HBOT treatment. Trained technicians guide patients step-by-step through this state-of-the-art treatment, which lasts for approximately two hours and can be done while patients relax, watch a movie, read, or even take a nap.
As with all services provided by Southwest General, HBOT treatment plans are tailored to the unique needs of individuals. Generally, patients require four to seven weeks of treatment (usually performed daily, six days a week) to achieve desired healing. Patients who comply with the HBOT treatment plan recommended by their doctor often have better, faster healing and improved quality of life.
Advanced Care to Promote Healing
Southwest General is committed to providing advanced and proven treatment approaches to benefit patients across the Greater Cleveland area. If you have questions about HBOT, or if you have been referred by a doctor for treatment, we are readily available to help you learn more. Contact us at 440-816-5970 for more information.
Our HBOT Center is located on Southwest General’s Main campus, near the Human Resources Department.
