Hyperbaric Medicine at Lourdes Medical Center of Burlington County
The Lourdes Center for Hyperbaric Medicine
A wound or sore that won't heal is more than a nuisance. It can be frightening, and with good reason. The longer a wound takes to heal, the greater the risk of serious infection. Diabetics, in particular, are especially prone to this risk.
That's why more and more patients—and physicians—turn to wound care specialists who can employ the most sophisticated treatment protocols.
At the Lourdes Center for Hyperbaric Medicine, we utilize a sophisticated approach to wound care that involves the use of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy, that has been shown to reduce healing time, improve healing rates and prevent possible limb loss. In fact, patients who have suffered from chronic wounds for months, even years, are routinely restored to health in a shorter time than they ever thought possible.
HBO therapy involves breathing 100 percent oxygen at an elevated ambient pressure. Ordinarily, the air we breathe contains 21 percent oxygen at a pressure of one atmosphere (barometric pressure at sea level). By breathing 100 percent oxygen at two atmospheres (the pressure at 33 feet underwater), 20 times more oxygen travels through the bloodstream to injured organs and tissue, causing accelerated healing.
Are You a Candidate?
HBO therapy is approved for use in:
- Air or gas embolism;
- Carbon monoxide poisoning, carbon monoxide poisoning complicated by cyanide poisoning and smoke inhalation;
- Clostridal myositis and myonecrosis (gas gangrene);
- Crush injury, compartment syndrome and other acute traumatic ischemias;
- Decompression sickness (the bends);
- Enhancement of healing of selected problem wounds (such as diabetic Wagner Grade III ulcers);
- Exceptional blood loss (anemia);
- Intracranial abscess;
- Necrotizing soft tissue infections;
- Refractory osteomyelitis;
- Delayed radiation injury (soft tissue and bony necrosis);
- Compromised skin grafts and flaps;
- Thermal burns.
HBO therapy is a medical treatment that enhances the body's natural healing ability as well as strengthens the body's immune system. By dramatically increasing the oxygen content level in blood and compromised tissue. HBO provides the ideal environment to promote the growth of new blood vessels and skin, a cornerstone of wound healing. It is a thoroughly tested, completely safe and painless therapy that has helped thousands of patients worldwide heal faster and better than ever before.
Our multidisciplinary team of specialists uses the latest, state-of-the-art healing techniques but they haven't forgotten the importance of respect, kindness and gentle care. Ultimately you play the most important role in healing your chronic wound. That's why we help our patients understand the healing process and teach them ways to protect themselves form having another chronic wound. At the Lourdes Center for Hyperbaric Medicine, we don't want a chronic wound to keep you from enjoying a single moment of your life.
What You Can Expect
The chamber at Lourdes Medical Center of Burlington County is 8 feet long and 34 inches wide and accommodates a single patient. The chamber is clear so the patient, who is lying on his or her back, and technician maintain visual contact at all times.
Each patient's temperature, blood pressure, blood sugar and ear canals are checked before receiving a center physician's clearance to enter the chamber. During treatment, patients are asked to relax and breathe deeply. Patients may experience ear popping or mild discomfort during pressurization and depressurization of the chamber. The discomfort disappears as the technician levels the pressure.
Treatment plans vary according to individual diagnosis, although most involve at least 20 sessions. Each therapy session typically lasts 90 minutes. The number of treatments needed to achieve full benefit is based on guidelines developed by the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society.
Teamwork with Referring Physician
The Lourdes Hyperbaric Medicine Center sends the referring physician progress reports on the success of the oxygen therapy. Staff members also can make referrals to specialists such as orthotists, nutritionists and vascular surgeons, as well as arrange for home care services.
Contraindications
HBO therapy is relatively benign, with few contraindications. Most complications can be reduced if pressures within the chamber remain below three times normal atmospheric pressure and sessions last no longer than three hours.
According to the American Cancer Society, mild complications include claustrophobia, fatigue and headache. More serious complications include myopia that can last for several weeks, sinus damage and ruptured middle ear. Patients with severe heart failure or are at risk of oxygen toxicity or collapsed lung may experience worsened symptoms during HBO therapy. Pregnant women should be treated with HBO therapy only in serious situations where no other options exist.
Contact
The unit is open Monday through Friday. To schedule your patient for referral by the Lourdes team, call 609-835-5809.
For more information about hyperbaric medicine, wound care or for physician referral, call 1-888-LOURDES or visit Find a Physician.
