Memorial Brings the First Hyperbaric & Wound Care Center

 to East Texas

It’s the latest technology available to treat “hard to heal” wounds and Memorial Health System of East Texas is the first to bring this technology to East Texas.  In 1996, the hospital opened the area’s first Hyperbaric Oxygen and Wound Care Center.  Under the direction of Dr. Royce Read, the center specializes in healing chronic wounds associated with diabetes and other illnesses/accidents.

At Memorial Health System of East Texas, we believe recovery is a group effort with individualized care.  Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBO) is a medical treatment for specific conditions that allows patients to breathe pure oxygen inside a pressurized chamber—enhancing the body’s natural healing process.  Most often, HBO is associated with the treatment of wounds or injuries that are hard to heal.  This type of rehabilitation often creates phenomenal success stories.  In many cases, mobility and freedom that was lost or diminished can often be restored.

How Does Hyperbaric Therapy Work?

As you know, oxygen is carried throughout the body by your blood.  Your blood’s oxygen carriers are red blood cells.  However, in problem wounds, the blood vessels feeding the wound are damaged and very small.  This makes it hard for the red blood cells to pass through and supply the wound with oxygen.  During HBO treatments, we administer 100% oxygen under pressure.  This dissolves large amounts of oxygen in the blood’s clear fluid, called plasma, which is much like the bubbles dissolved in soft drinks when you open them.  This dissolved oxygen can slip past the narrowed blood vessels and provide needed relief for the wound and jump start the healing process.

Benefits

Depending upon your specific situation, HBO may provide you with the following:
 

• Increased oxygen delivery to wound or injured tissue
• Greater blood vessel formation
• Increased speed of wound healing
• Preservation of damaged tissue
• Elimination of toxic substances from the wound

Approved Conditions of Warranting HBO

The American Medical Association approves the following conditions for Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment:
 

• Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
• Injuries in which limbs have been crushed
• Decompression Sickness—The Bends
• Gas Gangrene
• Necrotizing soft tissue infections—flesh eating bacteria
• Osteomyelitis—an infection in the bone that has not healed in over a month
• Radiation tissue damage
• Failed or failing skin grafts or flaps
• Diabetic wounds of the lower extremities that have not healed in a month
• Actinomycosis (soft tissue)
• Gas Embolism
• Acute Peripheral Arterial Insufficiency
• Cyanide Poisoning
• Acute Peripheral Ischemia

Treatment

During therapy you simply lie comfortably and restfully while in the chamber, watching television, listening to music, or napping.  You may notice a sensation of fullness or popping in your ears until you reach the prescribed pressure.  Swallowing or yawning usually relieves this sensation.  There is a slight chance that your vision may actually improve during the time you are in the chamber.  Once outside, your vision immediately returns to normal.  If you have cataracts, you should consult with your ophthalmologist prior to beginning therapy.

Safety Concerns

Because of the high amounts of oxygen administered, certain items are not allowed inside the HBO chambers.  They are as follows:
 

• Makeup
• Perfume or aftershave
• Hair spray or hair oils
• Wigs or hairpieces
• Nail polish
• Alcohol or petroleum-based products
• Metallic items such as jewelry, watches or coins
• Hearing aids
• Deodorants

Preparation for Therapy

Our staff will discuss the specific preparation required prior to treatment.  These include:
 

• No Smoking

Smoking is not allowed during the course of HBO, even when you are at home.  Smoking causes blood vessels to restrict thus delaying healing.
 

• Medications

A complete list of medications, both prescription and non-prescription, must be provided to the HBO physician before HBO therapy can begin.
 

• Illness

Notify your HBO doctor immediately if you experience cold or flu-like symptoms, such as fever, cough, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, headache, diarrhea, or generalized body aches during your treatment.
 

• Clothing

During treatments, you will be provided with a special 100% cotton gown that has been approved for wearing during HBO therapy.
 

• Valuables

Please do not bring valuable items.  Lockers are provided for your clothing.
 

• Other

You will be asked to remove dentures, partial plates and hearing aids.  You also will be asked to remove contact lenses and glasses.

Referrals

A referral by your primary physician is required.  By working with your physician, our specialists have a better understanding of your needs and therefore can prescribe the most appropriate therapy for your condition.