The mission of Heritage Medical Center's Wound Healing & Hyperbaric Medicine Center is to aggressively manage chronic wounds to help them heal quickly and completely.

Chronic wounds are often painful and upsetting, and when associated with diabetes or poor circulation, they can be very difficult to heal. Each wound is unique and our center is equipped and staffed to determine what type of treatment is required for optimal wound healing. We specialize in caring for people whose open sores have resisted traditional treatment.

We work in conjunction with referring physicians as partners to determine a complete set of wound care protocols to address each patient's needs. We provide all patients with dedicated and specialized attention.

How to Start Healing:

Generally, the physicians treating your wound will refer you to the Wound Healing & Hyperbaric Medicine at Heritage Medical Center. You may also make appointments directly.

When you contact us for your first appointment, our staff will ask a few questions about your wound(s) and health in general. Before beginning treatment, our team of doctors and nurses will thoroughly evaluate your wound(s) and review your health and medical history. Tests may be conducted to tell us more about your blood flow and tissue oxygenation, as well as to determine if any infection is present.

Together with your physician, we will develop a treatment program based on our assessment of your special needs. Your program likely will involve regular visits to the Wound Healing & Hyperbaric Medicine Center. Your progress is documented and adjusted as necessary.

We communicate with your physician throughout your care. When your wound is healed, you will return to your doctor for follow-up care. While being cared for by the Wound Healing & Hyperbaric Medicine Center staff, you may continue getting treatment from other physicians for any related ailments like diabetes and hypertension.

We offer a comprehensive program of specialized management by clinicians trained in wound care. We also offer information on nutrition, infection control and other therapies.

Wound Healing Options:

Your wound care physician may prescribe one or more of these therapies:

• Debridement (removal of dead or damaged tissue)
• Specially chosen advanced dressings and wraps
• Bio-engineered tissue substitutes
• Negative pressure wound therapy
• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT)

We offer specialized care for serious wounds such as:

• Diabetic and pressure ulcers
• Persistent skin irritations
• Surgical wounds
• Traumatic wounds
• Burns
• Venous insufficiency
• Neuropathic ulcers
• Radiation injuries
• Vasculitis and other inflammatory ulcers
• Other chronic, non-healing wounds

What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?

HBOT is a medical treatment that allows a patient to breathe 100 percent oxygen two-three times greater than atmospheric pressure and is administered in sessions, or dives, that last from 90 minutes to two hours.

By forcing more oxygen into the tissue, HBOT encourages the formation of new blood vessels. As these new blood vessels develop, the red blood cells start to flow, delivering even more oxygen to the affected areas. This creates an optimal environment for the body's natural healing process to repair damaged tissue, allowing wounds to heal from the inside out. The pressurized environment also helps to reduce swelling and discomfort.

The HBOT chamber resembles a bed encased in a clear acrylic shell nearly a yard in diameter. Patients can listen to music or watch television. Patients remain in contact with those outside the chamber through an intercom and private headset. Patients may feel a slight pressure on the eardrum, like that felt when a plane lands, as the air in the chamber is compressed.

Contact Us:

The Wound Healing & Hyperbaric Medicine Center is located at 112 Airport Business Park Road, Suite E. For more information or for scheduling, please call 931-680-1927, Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.