Not Something You Find in Most Wound Centers [Katie Jones]

This video provides a detailed look at hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) and how it supports wound healing at Brookings Health System. It explains how the treatment works, what patients can expect, and the types of conditions it can treat. The goal is to help patients understand this advanced therapy and why access to it locally is valuable.

  • Advanced Wound Healing Therapy: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy delivers 100% oxygen in a pressurized chamber to improve tissue health and healing.
  • Treats Complex Conditions: HBO therapy is used for diabetic foot ulcers, radiation damage, surgical wounds, crush injuries, and other complex conditions.
  • Improves Blood Flow and Reduces Infection: Oxygen attaches to blood cells, decreases inflammation, reduces bacteria, and helps form new blood vessels.
  • Structured and Safe Process: Patients complete a medical clearance, insurance review, and supervised treatments lasting about two to two and a half hours.
  • Daily Treatments Provide Best Results: Frequent sessions, typically five days a week, create cumulative healing benefits and better outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a medical treatment where patients breathe 100% oxygen in a pressurized chamber to promote healing in damaged or slow-healing tissue. The increased oxygen improves blood flow, reduces inflammation, and supports tissue repair.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy works by delivering high levels of oxygen into the bloodstream in a pressurized environment. This oxygen reaches damaged tissue, reduces bacteria, promotes new blood vessel growth, and improves healing.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can treat diabetic foot ulcers, crush injuries, surgical wounds, radiation damage, and other complex or non-healing wounds. It is often used when standard wound treatments are not enough.

Most patients tolerate HBO therapy well, but some may experience ear pressure or mild discomfort similar to flying in an airplane. Patients with claustrophobia may have concerns, although clear chambers and staff support help reduce anxiety.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy should be performed in a hospital or medical facility because strict safety guidelines and government regulations must be followed. Medical professionals monitor patients to ensure safe and effective treatment.

Video Transcript

My name is Katie Jones. I'm a Certified Nurse Practitioner and I work in the Wound Care Center as well as the Neighborhoods at Brookview.

What is hyperbaric oxygen therapy?

So hyperbaric oxygen therapy is breathing in a 100% oxygen in a pressurized environment. And so individuals will come into the Wound Center. They will come into the chamber, which is a clear, large plexiglass tube essentially. And they are delivered a 100% oxygen in that pressurized environment. We call these treatments dives. And that comes from like scuba diving, how you're at a greater depth when you are scuba diving. And so that's where that term comes from.

How does hyperbaric oxygen therapy work?

So hyperbaric oxygen therapy works by having that oxygen, that very rich oxygen, 100% oxygen in a pressurized environment attaches to the blood cells, which are distributed all throughout your body. Therefore also going to damaged tissue and helping to improve the health of that tissue by decreasing inflammation, reducing bacterial load. Your body will actually start to produce small, little blood vessels around those areas. So it improves your blood flow as well.

What conditions can be treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy?

Conditions that can be treated with HBO therapy range anywhere from diabetic foot ulcers, to crush injuries, failed flaps, surgical wounds that have opened back up. We also can use it for radiation damage from radiation that patients will have for cancer treatments.

What are the late effects of radiation therapy?

Some of the late effects of radiation therapy depend on the area of the body that was affected. For individuals that maybe had it in their mouth or on their throat, will have some trouble swallowing. They might have difficulty with a dry mouth, have poor oral health such as sores in their mouth or issues with their teeth. Individuals that have had it on their abdomen may have blood in their urine or in their stools, and it also can affect wound healing. Any area of the body that has had radiation is technically damaged, and so that area might be slower to heal if a wound develops there.

What's the process for hyperbaric oxygen therapy?

If we are considering someone for HBO therapy, we will first bring them into the clinic and do what's called an HBO clearance. So they will meet with one of our medical providers, and we will do a comprehensive exam on them, going through their medical history, reviewing medications, and reviewing why we think that they are a good candidate. We talk to them about the risks and the benefits of the treatment, as well as what they can expect during those treatments. And then if we decide that they would benefit from that, then we run everything through their insurance and make sure that it's all going to be covered or let them know what that might look like from a cost standpoint. And then on the days that they're coming in for their treatments, they'll check in at the front desk and then we bring them into the HBO suite. They will visit with the HBO tech who will take their vital signs, check their blood sugar if they need that. We have a restroom in there, and they'll change into our clothing. They can't wear any of their own clothing in the chambers. And then the treatment will start. And that can range anywhere from about two to two and a half hours, depending on what they are diving for.

What can I expect during a hyperbaric oxygen therapy session?

So typically, the HBO treatments are tolerated very well. Some individuals will experience some troubles with their ears, just a full sensation, especially when they are coming down to depth. And that will feel like it does when you're flying in an airplane or when you're driving in the mountains. And as soon as those ears pop they feel normal. And our techs will help individuals get their ears to open up if they're having any trouble doing that. There is also some differences in air movement and airflow throughout the treatment, but for the most part, it's very, very well tolerated. And then individuals, they can watch TV, they can sleep, they can listen to music. They can really do pretty much about anything in the chambers. The only thing is you can't take a book in there or you can't bring anything in with you, and that's for safety reasons.

Are there any concerns for patients who are claustrophobic?

There certainly is the concern for individuals that do experience some claustrophobia that they might not be able to tolerate being in the enclosed chamber. But the nice thing is, is the chambers are see-through, and we do have windows within the unit. So they can open the windows and so you can see outside. The tech is always in the room with you too. And so that gives a sense of relief to people. But I would say for the most part, all of the patients that we have encountered with claustrophobia have done really well. It's just kind of getting through that first maybe 10 minutes or so of that first dive.

Why are patients asked to go every day?

So we find that the cumulative effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy really give us the greatest results. And so that is coming five days a week for those treatments. We understand that that can't be feasible for everyone, especially if they have multiple appointments to go to. And so we do work around that. We have also found that even if somebody can get there three or four days a week, that's better than none. But we do know that the cumulative effect of those treatments is what offers the most benefit for treatment and healing.

Why is a hospital the best place for hyperbaric oxygen therapy?

It's important to do HBO therapy with a medical professional because we follow strict safety guidelines as well as government regulations to ensure the safety and well-being of the patients that we care for.

How can I learn more?

If you think HBO therapy might be right for you, you can certainly talk to your primary care provider or you can call us at the Wound Center. And our phone number is (605) 696-8068. And we would be happy to discuss that with you or schedule you for an appointment to talk about that further.

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