Currently, Medicare, HMOs, and other insurance providers approve HBOT for treatment of the following conditions:
"When a wound does not respond to regular medical care, advanced modalities like HBOT therapy often help patients heal.”
- Wound Care Center, Medical Director
While enclosed in a large, circular, clear acrylic chamber, at greater-than-normal atmospheric pressure, patients breathe pure oxygen. This saturates blood plasma, allowing it to carry from 15 to 20 times the normal amount of healing oxygen to the body’s tissues. Up to 18 percent of wound care patients may require HBOT treatments provided by the Center’s physicians, who are specialty-trained in hyperbaric medicine, as well as by our highly-trained clinical hyperbaric technologist and staff.
HBOT also helps fight certain types of infections, improves circulation and stimulates the growth of new blood vessels. Therapy is administered daily and the number of therapies you receive depends on your individual treatment plan and prognosis
Our HBO pressurized treatment chambers are located in comfortable treatment rooms equipped with a TV and a DVD player. The clear, acrylic chamber allows you to see your surroundings. To begin the therapy, you will be positioned inside the chamber. During the therapy, pressure inside the chamber is gradually increased and the temperature will temporarily rise.
The increased pressure may case fullness in your ears, but your technologist will tell you how to clear this and relieve any discomfort. Treatment sessions may last 2 to 2.5 hours and many patients simply relax, or even sleep, while receiving this beneficial therapy.
Some patients experience fatigue during treatment, but this is completely normal. Your vision may temporarily change but should return to normal a few weeks after your therapy is completed. Because this change is temporary, we do not recommend changing your eyewear prescription during the course of your treatment. If you wear contact lenses, ask your hyperbaric physician for advice on wearing them during treatment.
You will receive complete instructions for your treatment when you arrive. A comfortable cotton garment approved for use in the chamber will be provided to you. For your safety, the following are not allowed inside the chamber:
Before beginning each treatment, let us know if you are ill, currently taking medication(s), or have had changes to your medication(s) since your last treatment. Your treatment plan is tailored to your individual needs. Keeping us informed of illness and/or current medications allows us to update your treatment plan.
Over the course of your HBOT treatment, you should not use tobacco products as they constrict blood vessels and will prolong, or even prevent, wound healing.
To learn more about wound care and AHN Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, call one of our convenient Wound Care Centers:
Wound Care Center
South Hills Medical Office Building on
Jefferson Hospital’s main campus Suite 207
(412) 469-7676
Wound Care and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Center
Bethel Park Campus Suite 101
(412) 854-7171
Allegheny General Hospital
320 E. North Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
(412) 359-4202
Saint Vincent Medical Group Wound Care and Hyperbaric Center
232 West 25th Street
Erie, PA 16544
(814) 452-7878
