Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy helps you heal faster by allowing you to breathe 100% oxygen, encouraging tissue growth.
We offer two types of chambers that offer beneficial therapy. At HonorHealth Scottsdale Osborn Medical Center we have one multi-person chamber and one single-person chamber. At HonorHealth John C Lincoln Medical Center we have two single-person chambers. Both types of chambers offer beneficial therapy.
Benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy treats a variety of conditions, including chronic wounds. During therapy, you breathe in 100% oxygen under increased atmospheric pressure. This process allows your lungs to gather more oxygen than normal, and your blood carries the oxygen throughout your body to promote healing. Oxygen is a key factor in tissue growth and healing.
The therapy helps:
- Aid healing
- Fight infections
- Improve oxygen levels in body tissue
- Promote blood vessel formation
- Preserve damaged tissue
Conditions improved through hyperbaric oxygen therapy
Hyperbaric oxygen treatment is used in treating some chronic problems and also more serious or urgent problems. If your wound is not responding to advanced treatment, you may qualify for hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Diabetic wounds of the lower limbs
If you have a serious wound of your foot due to diabetes, your HonorHealth provider will make every effort to promote healing through advanced therapies, by improving nutrition and diabetes control, and by improving circulation to the affected area. However, if your wound still does not heal as would be expected, hyperbaric oxygen therapy may be started to help with the healing process.
Wounds from prior radiation treatment
You may be experiencing chronic wounds due to radiation treatment you've received. Radiation therapy can damage tissue (soft tissue radionecrosis) and bone (osteoradionecrosis) around the treatment site. Months or even years later, that area may develop irritations, bleeding, pain or other problems. Hyperbaric oxygen has been shown to improve circulation to that area and may resolve symptoms related to prior radiation therapy.
Additional conditions treated by hyperbaric therapy
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is also used in treating conditions such as:
- Acute carbon monoxide poisoning
- Acute peripheral arterial insufficiency
- Acute traumatic peripheral ischemic
- Cyanide poisoning
- Decompression illness (sometimes referred to as the bends)
- Crush injuries and suturing of severed limbs
- Gas embolism
- Gas gangrene
- Preparation and preservation of compromised skin grafts
- Serious infections such as actinomycosis, chronic refractory osteomyelitis and progressive necrotizing infections
What to expect during hyperbaric treatment
Throughout the process, you're monitored by a specially trained caregiver. You have access to television, movies, music, reading or resting, depending on your therapy plan.
Because the benefits of therapy come from the increased oxygen in the bloodstream and not with oxygen's direct contact with wounds, your wound dressings are usually left in place.
During the therapy, you may feel pressure in your ears similar to the sensation you feel when landing in an airplane. A specialist will tell you how to clear your ears.
Preparing for hyperbaric oxygen therapy
Tips that your hyperbaric team will share with you to prepare for the hyperbaric chamber include:
- Wear clothes made out of a blend of cotton and polyester.
- Hair spray, makeup, lotions, oils and newspapers are not permitted.
- Don’t smoke – it decreases the treatment’s effectiveness.
- Our hyperbaric staff will always be available to assure your safety, confidence and comfort.
Insurance coverage
Most insurance plans cover hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Your HonorHealth team will help coordinate referrals or authorizations if they are required by your insurance.
Wound Care and Hyperbaric services locations
HonorHealth Scottsdale Osborn Medical Center
7400 E. Osborn Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
480-583-0500
480-583-2775 Fax
HonorHealth John C. Lincoln Medical Center
Cowden Center
9202 N. Second St.
Phoenix, AZ 85020
602-786-0110
480-882-5813 Fax