Wound Care & Hyperbaric Medicine
When you need advanced care to help a wound heal, turn to the Wound Healing & Hyperbaric Center at VHC Health. You'll find effective treatments from a team of specialists dedicated to your health.
Accredited Wound Care
Trust VHC Health for safe, high-quality wound care and excellent outcomes. Our Wound Healing & Hyperbaric Center is accredited by the Undersea & Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS).
Do I Need to See a Wound Specialist?
A wound specialist is a professional who is specialized in the care and treatment of acute, chronic and non-healing wounds. If you have a difficult-to-heal wound or a wound that hasn’t healed in four weeks, you should consider consulting a wound care specialist.
Conditions We Treat
Our wound care specialists will work with you and your doctor to find the best treatment option to help you feel like yourself again. Some common conditions include:
- Cellulitis – Skin infection
- Foot ulcers – Sores caused by diabetes or poor blood flow
- Osteomyelitis – Bone infection
- Pressure ulcers (bedsores) – Sores caused by staying in one position for too long
- Radiation necrosis – Tissue damage from radiation therapy
- Skin flaps or grafts – Skin used to cover damaged tissue
- Surgical wounds – Incisions made during surgery
- Trauma wounds – Injuries from accidents, falls or other causes
- Wounds that have not healed in four weeks
Multidisciplinary Wound Care
Our team works together to encourage and accelerate your healing. You will benefit from the skill and knowledge of our experienced wound care team that works for you. Depending on your condition, your care team may include:
You may also receive counseling and treatment from diabetes educators, lymphedema specialists, nutritionists and physical therapists.
Wound Care Treatments & Services
Count on us to create a wound healing plan tailored to you. You'll get a thorough assessment of underlying medical conditions that could be hindering your wound healing. Access advanced technologies and treatments at VHC Health, including:
- Antibiotic infusion – Delivers medicine directly to your vein through an IV
- Bioengineered tissue – Helps your body close wounds
- Compression wraps – Improve blood flow and reduce swelling
- Debridement – Removes damaged tissue to support healing
- Home care – Provides treatment in your home
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy – Allows you to breathe 100% oxygen to speed healing
- Negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) – Removes fluid from your wound to improve healing
- Wound dressings – Protect your wound and promote healing
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)
Learn what to expect if hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is part of your care plan.
Why HBOT?
The air we breathe is a mixture of oxygen, nitrogen and other gases. During HBOT you'll breathe 100 percent oxygen. This allows your body to take in more oxygen than usual. The extra oxygen can improve wound healing by reducing swelling, keeping infection under control and stimulating new blood vessel growth.
What to Expect
During HBOT, you'll lie in a large, clear acrylic tube, or chamber.
The first few minutes in the chamber will be noisy because pressurized gas is entering it. It will seem warm at first and then the temperature will adjust to a comfortable level. You may feel a change in pressure in your ears, similar to when descending in an airplane.
During treatment, you may watch movies, listen to music, or close your eyes and relax. You'll be able to communicate with your care team using an intercom system.
At the end of the treatment, we reduce the chamber pressure, the air will feel colder, and you'll feel your ears "popping."
Each treatment lasts two hours.
How Many Treatments Will I Need?
Work with your care team to create the right care plan for your condition.
Treatments are available Monday through Friday. Usually, patients receive one treatment per day.
Side Effects of HBOT
Side effects of HBOT are uncommon, but may include:
- Ear discomfort
- Lung discomfort or pressure injuries
- Temporary nearsightedness (difficulty focusing on things that are far away)
Late Cancellation & No-Show
At VHC Health, we recognize the importance of our patients’ time and are committed to providing efficient and timely care. By giving us advance notice, you help us accommodate as many patients as possible and minimize disruptions to the schedule.
Wound Care & Hyperbaric Medicine is now requiring advance notice for appointment changes or late cancellations. This notice helps us accommodate as many patients as possible and minimizes disruptions to our patient schedule. Failure to notify us less than 24 hours in advance of your scheduled appointment time, or failure to show for your scheduled appointment, may result in a late cancellation or no-show fee of $100.
