Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Oxygen therapy is one of the most effective ways to treat hard-to-heal wounds.
Enloe’s Wound/Ostomy & Hyperbaric Center is the only facility of its kind in Butte County. We’ve offered hyperbaric oxygen therapy since 2010.
So what is hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
The normal air you breathe is only 21% oxygen. Patients receiving hyperbaric oxygen therapy relax in a large, pressurized chamber and breathe 100% oxygen. The extra oxygen helps the healing process by promoting new blood vessel growth.
The Hyperbaric Chamber Experience
Our hyperbaric chamber seats up to six people, including a technician. Oxygen is delivered through a special hood system worn by each patient. Each session consists of three phases and lasts about 2 hours.
Compression
During the compression phase, patients feel a “fullness” in their ears. It’s like what you’d feel when an airplane changes altitude. You can relieve this pressure by swallowing or yawning. The temperature in the chamber rises a little during compression.
Treatment
The treatment phase begins when the chamber reaches the prescribed pressure. Patients breathe 100% oxygen with short breaks for normal air to reduce the risk of side effects. Patients may choose to sleep, listen to music or watch a movie during this phase.
Decompression
We’ll slowly reduce the chamber pressure to match the surrounding environment. The chamber will get a little cooler during this phase. Once the chamber is depressurized, the treatment is over, and patients are helped out of the chamber.
A Trusted Team
Our physicians have advanced training in wound management and hyperbaric medicine. The nursing staff is trained in the care of chronic, non-healing wounds. We also have technicians who perform non-invasive studies and assist with therapies. Meet our team.
Referral For Services
Primary care physician can refer patients to the Enloe Wound/Ostomy & Hyperbaric Center for treatment. Physicians may use this referral form and fax it to the enclosed number.
Conditions We Treat
Enloe’s Hyperbaric Services provides medically approved treatments for a variety of issues, including:
- Problematic wounds, including diabetic wounds
- Chronic, non-healing wounds
- Infections, including chronic bone infections
- Radiation injuries from treatment for cancer
- Crush injuries
- Skin grafts or flaps that are not healing
- Diabetic and non-healing wounds on the legs or feet
- A wound classified as Wagner Grade III or higher, and which has not responded to standard treatments
- Acute traumatic peripheral ischemia
- Sutured severed limbs
- Acute peripheral arterial insufficiency
- Actinomycosis, when the disease process is not responding to antibiotics or surgical treatments
- Fractures that have not mended or healed as expected*
- Non-healing surgical incisions*
*With advanced care planning and prior authorization
Preparing for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
For your safety, the following items aren’t allowed inside the chamber:
- Makeup, nail polish, perfume or aftershave
- Hair spray or hair oils
- Wigs or hairpieces
- Alcohol or petroleum-based products
- Cellphones or pagers
- Jewelry, titanium frame eyeglasses, keys or other metals
- Flammable materials or heat-producing items
- Hearing aids
- Food, gum or juice
Please leave these items at home and inform your care team about any changes in your health or medications you’re taking prior to your visit.
Your treatment plan is tailored to your individual needs. Any changes to your health or medications may affect your plan.
Tobacco Warning
You should avoid the use of all tobacco products during treatment. These will constrict blood vessels and prolong or even prevent the healing of your wound.
A Word About Billing
Medicare and other insurance providers will cover the treatment under certain circumstances. Enloe’s insurance verification staff will contact your insurer for authorization before treatment. Patients may also elect to pay privately.
An Enloe financial counselor is available to help you get financial assistance or arrange a manageable payment plan. You can reach those caregivers at 530-332-6749.
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