Memorial Hermann Wound Care – Southeast

General Information

Do you suffer with any of the following conditions?

• Diabetic wounds that are slow to heal or not healing
• Any foot or leg ulcers or sores
• Surgical wounds that have opened
• Skin grafts or surgical flaps that are not healing post-surgery
• Skin tears or open sores caused by radiation treatment
• Bone infection (osteomyelitis)

Between 5 million and 7 million Americans experience at least one form of a chronic wound annually. These chronic non-healing wounds refuse to heal despite conventional treatment and they seldom involve a simple answer.

Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital provides comprehensive outpatient chronic wound management through our state-of-the-art hyperbaric and advanced services.

The center is staffed by a multidisciplinary team of affiliated physicians, nurses and technicians with advanced training in wound care and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

The care team evaluates conditions and formulates individualized patient treatment plans using the most effective technologies available to provide maximum healing and relief.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a medical treatment that enhances the body’s natural healing and strengthens the immune system. Originally used to treat SCUBA divers with decompression sickness, hyperbaric oxygen therapy has also proven valuable in treating many other medical conditions, including chronic wounds.

Therapy is administered in a hyperbaric chamber that delivers 100% oxygen with increased atmospheric pressure, stimulating the entire body’s natural healing responses.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy promotes healing by increasing the level of oxygen in the tissue and improving the healing efficiency of the white blood cells.

In addition, hyperbaric oxygen therapy:

• Stimulates fibroblasts (collagen formation)
• Stimulates the growth of blood vessels
• Creates vasoconstriction, thus reducing tissue edema

Conditions Treated

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is beneficial for diabetic patients with difficult non-healing ulcers, as well as those with arterial ulcers and other types of wounds that fail to respond to conservative therapy.

Medicare-approved conditions treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy include:

• Diabetic wounds
• Actinomycosis
• Compromised skin grafts and flaps
• Osteomyelitis (bone infection)
• Progressive necrotizing infections
• Crush injuries
• Osteoradionecrosis
• Acute peripheral arterial insufficiency
• Soft-tissue radionecrosis (radiation tissue damage)
• Brown recluse spider bites

Phases of Hyperbaric Treatment

Treatments are administered daily, Monday through Friday, requiring the patient to be present for approximately two hours each day. The course of treatment varies by diagnosis, but generally includes 20 to 40 therapy sessions.

What You Should Know

You will be evaluated by the staff before and after your therapy.Only 100% cotton clothing is allowed in the chamber. Garments will be provided to you.Take any prescribed medications as usual (including pain medication) before you arrive and inform the staff during your evaluation.If you have a cold or sinus congestion, please inform the staff upon arrival, as this may determine whether nasal sprays and decongestants are administered.

Comprehensive Wound Care

The center’s mission is to improve the quality of life of patients with chronic and acute wounds and to reduce the number of amputations. The wound care team works with the referring physician to coordinate a plan of care to achieve the best possible outcomes.

Affiliated specialists develop individualized, evidence-based treatment plans for a full spectrum of problem wounds, including pressure ulcers, venous ulcers, diabetic ulcers, arterial ulcers, trauma wounds, crush injuries, burns, gangrene, problem surgical wounds, complex soft-tissue wounds, compromised skin flaps and grafts, radiation tissue damage and bone infections.

Insurance

In general, most health insurance plans and Medicare cover the conditions listed. For specific questions about insurance coverage, please contact your insurance provider directly.