When A Wound Won't Heal
Our Center for Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine is staffed by a team of professionals that include: board certified physicians with advanced training in wound healing; nursing staff trained in the care of chronic wounds, and technicians who perform noninvasive studies and various therapies.
There are many different types of wounds. Some are associated with complications from diabetes and other related vascular disorders. Other types include pressure sores and traumatic wounds. It can be very frustrating and time consuming to heal these wounds. At the Center for Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine, we utilize the most up-to-date approaches to wound healing and remain current in new scientific advances in wound care.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBO) is a treatment in which the patient breaths 100% oxygen inside a pressurized chamber. The therapy quickly delivers high concentrations of oxygen to the bloodstream, assists in wound healing and is effective in fighting certain types of infections.
During your coarse of treatment, our wound center will work with your regular physician to assure complete continuity of care for your wound or HBO services.
Locate the Center for Wound Healing & Hyperbaric Medicine (HBO)
The Center for Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine
6215 Abbott Station Drive
Zephyrhills, FL 33542
(813) 479-0225
Meet Our Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine Physicians
Dealing With Chronic Wounds
At any given time almost six million Americans suffer from chronic, non-healing wounds. There are many different types of wounds. Some are associated with complications from diabetes and other related vascular disorders. Other types include pressure sores and traumatic wounds. It can be very frustrating and time consuming to heal these wounds.
Your Wound Healing Program
You will undergo a thorough diagnostic examination to identify the type of wound you have and the underlying problems causing the wound. After this, a wound healing program specifically tailored to meet your needs will be initiated based on the most effective treatment options.
Your wound healing treatment may include:
- Infectious Disease Management
- Physical Therapy
- Vascular Evaluation
- Laboratory Evaluation
- Nutritional Management
- Pain Management
- Diabetes Education
- Nuclear Medicine
- Radiology
- Debridement
Once a wound healing treatment plan has been initiated, you will visit the Center for Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine on a regular basis for wound care. You will be instructed on how to administer your own wound care at home between visits, as well as how to protect your wound from further complications. You are the most important part of your wound healing process. Keeping appointments and following directions clearly are critical to attaining a positive wound healing outcome. Please contact a member of our staff with any other questions you may have regarding your treatment.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBO)
Simple & Effective
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBO) is a treatment in which the patient breaths 100% oxygen inside a pressurized chamber. The hyperbaric oxygen therapy quickly delivers high concentrations of oxygen to the bloodstream, assists in wound healing and is effective in fighting certain types of infections. It also stimulates the growth of new blood vessels and improves circulation. HBO therapy is administered daily and the number of therapies you receive will depend on your diagnosis.
When You Arrive At The Center for Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine
After an initial consultation and examination at the Center for Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine, you will be ready to begin your wound healing therapy. When you arrive, you will receive complete instructions regarding your treatment. Before starting, you will change into a 100% cotton garment provided by the center. For safety reasons, no other clothing may be worn inside the hyperbaric oxygen therapy chamber.
What To Expect During Wound Healing Treatment
Once you are comfortably positioned inside the hyperbaric oxygen therapy chamber, the pressure will gradually be increased and the temperature will temporarily rise. You may experience fullness in your ears as a result of the increased pressure. The technician will instruct you in ways to help clear the pressure and relieve any discomfort. Most treatment sessions in the HBO chamber last approximately two hours. While undergoing treatment, you may watch TV or videos, simply relax, or even sleep.
Getting Ready For Your Visit
For safety reasons there are certain items not allowed inside the HBO chamber. Please do not wear or bring the following into the HBO chamber during your treatment:
- Makeup
- Perfume
- Aftershave
- Hairspray or Hair Oils
- Wigs or Hairpieces
- Nail Polish
- Alcohol or Petroleum Based Products
- Cell Phone or Pagers
- Metallic Items (such as jewelry, titanium frame eyeglasses, keys, watches and coins)
- Flammable Materials or Heat Producing Items (such as heating pads, lighters, cigarettes)
- Hearing Aids
- Food, Gum or Candy
Ask your hyperbaric medicine physician for advice on wearing contact lenses during treatment. You should also refrain from smoking or the use of any tobacco products over the entire course of HBO therapy. Tobacco use will prolong or even prevent wound healing due to its constricting effect on the blood vessels in your body.
If You Are Sick or On Medication
You should inform the staff at the center if you have a cold or cough, the flu, sore throat, chills, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. Alert the staff to any medications you are taking or changes in medication during the course of your treatment. If you have diabetes, please eat properly and continue to take your prescribed medication to control the blood sugar level. Your blood sugar level will also be checked before, during and after each visit to the wound center.
The Possibility of Side Effects
You may experience temporary vision changes that should return to normal in a few weeks after your HBO therapy is complete. Our hyperbaric medicine physicians recommend that you not change the prescription of your eyewear during the coarse of your HBO therapy. Some patients experience fatigue during treatment. This is completely normal.