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The professional staff at Mesa General Hospital’s
Wound Care Center is trained in the latest wound
care and hyperbaric medicine treatments. Our philosophy is
simple: To treat problem wounds aggressively, even the smallest
ones, using the techniques most appropriate to your condition.
We design an individual treatment plan aimed at promoting
wound healing. We begin with our physicians and nurses conducting
a thorough examination and review of your medical history
to correctly evaluate the extent of the wound. You may require
special tests that evaluate the blood flow and oxygen to the
wound area. We then initiate a sound care plan to facilitate
the healing process.
Some of the treatment modalities we utilize are:
• Antibiotics
• Vascular Testing
• Compression Therapy
• Nutritional Supplements
• Pressure Relief
• Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
• Specialized Dressings
• Topical Medications
For more information about the Wound Care Center,
call 480-461-4470.
Hyperbaric
Oxygen Treatment
For a hyperbaric oxygen treatment to work,
patients enter a clear pressurized chamber. They breathe 100%
oxygen and the pressure is similar to the changes you experience
when going up or down in an airplane or like being a scuba
diver, only without the water! Because of that pressure, the
oxygen is dissolved in everything liquid. Humans are 75% water,
so patients who undergo hyperbaric oxygen therapy are super
oxygenated. When in the chamber, wounds receive 10-12 times
the amount of oxygen compared to outside the chamber.
Other benefits are:
- New blood vessels may begin to form in the wound area.
- Swelling (edema) is decreased. This is important because
edema makes healing more difficult.
- White blood cells (the cells that fight infection) work
more efficiently.
These types of wounds/conditions might benefit from hyperbaric
oxygen therapy:
- Diabetic Ulcers/Sores
An evaluation by a physician will need to be done to determine
the severity
- Osteomyelitis
Infection of the bone that my cause open sores
- Post Radiation Tissue Injury
The skin may be susceptible to breakdown after radiation
treatment
- Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections
A bacteria that thrives in a non-oxygen environment--
also known as "flesh eating bacteria."
- Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
- Gas Gangrene
May be caused by a minor cut/scratch
- Decompression Sickness
"Bends" could occur after scuba diving or a quick
descent in an airplane
- Selected Problem Wounds
Any wound that has not responded to conventional treatment
- Crush Injury, Compartment Syndrome, and other
Acute Traumatic Ischemias
Local and temporary deficiency of blood supply
- Exceptional Blood Loss
Anemia
- Compromised Skin Grafts & Flaps that show
signs of not healing
immediately after surgery
- Thermal Burns
- Intracranial Abscess
Infection in the brain
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Types
of Wounds We Heal
- Diabetic Problem Wounds
- Vascular Insufficiency Ulcers (arterial
or venous)
- Non-Healing surgical wounds
- Venomous Bites
- Pressure Ulcers (Bed Sores)
- Venous Stasis Ulcers
- Gas Gangrene (may be caused by a minor
cut/scratch)
- Problem Wounds (any wound that has not
responded to conventional treatment)
- Problem Burns
- Compromised Grafts and Flaps that
show signs of not healing immediately after surgery or have
never healed after surgery
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Frequently
Asked Questions
I had Heart Bypass Surgery. My
Surgical incision is not healing properly.
What should I do?
Sometimes, even with the best hospital and physician
care, some surgical wounds will not heal properly without
specialized treatment. It is important that you communicate
with your surgeon, let him know the problems you are having
with your surgical wound. Ask your surgeon if a referral to
the wound care center might be beneficial for you. One of
our physicians that specializes in wound care, will be happy
to address your wound care needs.
My legs are red, swollen and painful. I noticed
blisters on them. Why?
You may be experiencing complications from a vascular disorder
called Venous Stasis Disease. Wounds caused by this problem
are due to the swelling in the legs. It is important to communicate
this problem to your primary care doctor and ask him to refer
you to a physician that specializes in treating this condition.
Good wound care can control the wounds caused by the disease.
In addition, compression therapy can reduce the swelling caused
by the pooling of fluid in the lower extremities.
I have a bone infection in my foot. Will I need
an amputation?
That is a tough question to answer without assessing your
wound. Amputation may be appropriate in some cases but sometimes
with the right combination of antibiotic therapy, wound care
and hyperbaric oxygen therapy your foot can be healed. You
should discuss this problem with your physician to determine
if a referral to the wound care center would be beneficial
for you.
Do you treat scuba divers that have the bends?
How do you know you have the bends?
Yes, we treat patients with decompression illness. If you
suspect you have symptoms of decompression illness you need
to seek medical attention for a thorough exam. 70-80% of patients
that have decompression sickness complain of joint pain. Patients
may have a mild onset in the shoulder, hip or knee and the
pain may become deep and penetrating. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
is used to treat decompression illness.
I have a quarter size wound on my leg. It’s
been there for over a year,
it will not heal. I’m not a diabetic. What should I
do?
You need to see you primary care physician if you’re
not seeing him already. Sometimes a wound will not heal if
there is an underlying condition involved. The wound may need
to be biopsied if it is not healing with standard treatment.
A biopsy of the wound may reveal a basal cell carcinoma which
can be treated appropriately to help heal the wound. Ask your
primary care physician if a referral to the wound care center
will be beneficial for you.
I was bit by a spider a few days ago and the
swelling and pain
is getting worse, what should I do?
Spiders in the United States are generally harmless, but there
are a few that can cause serious medical problems. Keep the
culprit if possible. Identification of the spider will help
determine the appropriate treatment. If you continue to experience
problems, ask your primary care physician to refer you to
the wound care center where a physician can assess your bite
and treat it appropriately. Sometimes venomous bites need
to have damaged tissue removed to help promote proper healing.
.
I received radiation therapy for cancer treatment.
How does hyperbaric oxygen therapy help me?
In the case of head and neck radiation patients, oral surgery
is sometimes necessary. Hyperbarics is a prescribed treatment
prior to oral surgery and immediately after surgery to prevent
problems with healing of the jaw or tooth socket. Hyperbarics
is also a prescribed treatment in cases where radiation has
damaged the surrounding tissues.
My husband is a quadriplegic and has a bed sore.
The home health nurse
comes out a few times a week; can he come to the wound center?
Yes, most certainly. You can speak with your primary care
physician and ask him if a referral to the wound center might
benefit your husband. Your husband will be assessed by a physician
that specializes in wound care and will instruct your home
health nurse on the appropriate treatment. The Wound Center
physicians and nurses will work hand and hand with your physician
and home health nurse to help promote healing of your husbands
wound.
My foot and ankle was crushed in an accident.
The wounds are not healing. What should I do?
The wounds associated with crush injuries are difficult to
heal because the tiny blood vessels are damaged. The damage
to the blood vessels causes a decrease in the amount of blood
and oxygen supply to the wound. Wounds must have oxygen to
heal properly. The best course for these wounds is to ask
your primary care physician if a referral to a physician who
specializes in wound care is appropriate. At the wound center,
you will receive comprehensive wound care, which may include
hyperbaric oxygen therapy to help those wounds heal more quickly.
I am a diabetic, why does it take so long for
wounds to heal on my feet?
Over time, diabetes damages the tiny blood vessels that supply
the tissues with blood and oxygen. When those tiny blood vessels
are not functioning properly it may cause you to lose the
protective feeling in your feet increasing the risk of developing
wounds. This damage to those tiny blood vessels can also make
it more difficult for your body to heal wounds. This is why
it is important to control your diabetes and inspect your
feet everyday.
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Statistics
Each year, approximately 5 million
Americans will suffer from chronic wounds caused by diabetes,
circulatory problems, or many other conditions.
1.5 million people who suffer from chronic
wounds have diabetic ulcers.
2.5 million people have pressure ulcers (bed
sores).
1 million people have venous stasis (circulatory
ulcers).
7.2% of hospitalizations involve diabetes.
60% of non-traumatic amputations (USA) are
due to diabetes.
15% of all diabetics will develop chronic
wounds.
Patients with diabetes will have a 15- fold
increase in the risk of an amputation.
Of the greater than 60,000 per year lower
extremity amputations in the USA, 84% are preceded by an ulcer.
Amputations in Diabetics:
31% Lower Leg
30% At or Above Knee
22% Higher than Knee
09% Foot
Total cost of Amputations due to Diabetes
estimated to be at $1.5 billion dollars per year.
Mesa General Hospital
515 North Mesa Drive
Mesa, Arizona 85201
(480) 969-9111
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