The Center for Hyperbaric Medicine and Wound Healing at Greenwich Hospital delivers specialized care to speed the healing process and improve quality of life.

This new outpatient facility offers two innovative services – specialized wound care and a hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) unit. Patients are cared for by a medical team skilled in the latest evidence-based methods to treat stubborn wounds that have resisted conventional treatments.

The Center for Hyperbaric Medicine and Wound Healing features:

• Two single-person hyperbaric chambers measuring 41 inches in diameter. These are the largest in the industry, designed for patient comfort.
• A full-time medical director and certified wound care nurses. Our clinical staff provides high-level continuity of care through customized treatment plans. They work closely with referring physicians, extended care facilities, visiting nurses, family members and patients.
• Immediate accessibility to other hospital services. The center is located within the hospital, making it easy to get to related specialty services.

Wound Care
Chronic wounds caused by diabetes, poor circulation and other medical conditions can significantly impact quality of life. In some cases, they put patients at risk for hospitalization and amputation.

Most wounds heal naturally. But chronic, difficult-to-heal wounds that have not responded to standard treatment, such as the ones listed below, require specialized expertise:

• diabetic ulcers
• ischemic wounds (caused by insufficient blood supply)
• chronic bone infections
• radiation-damaged tissue or bone
• threatened skin grafts and flaps
• venous, leg or pressure ulcers (bed sores)

Customized treatment
At the first visit, a physician and certified wound care nurse will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the patient’s condition. The team will then develop a customized treatment plan. A variety of therapies are available based on the patient’s unique wound and medical needs:

• edema reduction (excess fluid)
• removal of damaged tissue
• topical therapies (medications and dressings)
• skin substitutes
• compression therapy
• negative pressure therapy
• antibiotics

The number of treatments depends on the condition and how the wound responds to therapy.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)
Some people benefit from Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy – a painless, noninvasive treatment for chronic wounds and infections that have resisted conventional treatment.

How does hyperbaric oxygen therapy work?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy uses pressured oxygen to help wounds heal faster. Patients breathe 100 percent oxygen under increased atmospheric pressure while lying in a hyperbaric chamber. Treatments typically last 90 minutes.

HBOT is highly effective and safe. By significantly increasing the level of oxygen in the bloodstream, it helps to:

• boost the body’s natural healing process
• stimulate the growth of new blood vessels
• reduce swelling and inflammation
• aid in the fight against infection

What does hyperbaric oxygen therapy feel like?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is completely painless. Patients have ample space to lie comfortably in the transparent chambers, which measure 41 inches in diameter. They can take a nap, watch television or a DVD, or talk face-to-face with their caregiver during treatments. Some patients may experience popping or fullness in the ears during treatment, similar to when flying in an airplane or diving into a pool.

Who manages the patient’s care?
Our staff keeps referring physicians informed about each patient’s individualized treatment plan, as well as their progress and need for follow-up care.

Patients and caregivers also receive extensive instruction on how to manage their condition at home once the specialized treatment regimen ends.

What if a patient needs additional services?
The center’s hospital-based location makes it easy to access a wide range of medical resources on an outpatient basis, if necessary. This includes experts in infectious diseases, physical therapy, nutrition, laboratory services, diagnostic imaging, diabetes education, surgical support and intravenous antibiotics.

Does health insurance cover the costs?
Most health plans, including Medicare, cover wound healing and hyperbaric medicine treatments for approved indications. Our staff will handle insurance pre-certification and verification matters for your convenience.

Is a physician referral necessary to make an appointment?
Speak with your physician if you have a chronic wound that requires the specialized expertise available at the Center for Hyperbaric Medicine and Wound Healing. Patients can also call the center directly to make an appointment at 203-863-4505.

Hours
The center is open from 8am-4pm, Monday through Friday.

Location
The Center for Hyperbaric Medicine and Wound Healing is located on the ground floor of Greenwich Hospital’s Helmsley Medical Building, part of the main campus at 5 Perryridge Road. Free valet parking is available in the main hospital parking lot.

Appointments
To schedule an appointment or learn more, email Eileen Curry, RN or call 203-863-4505.
Eileen.Curry@greenwichhospital.org

Our Medical Team
Sze H. Ding, MD, is the medical director of the Center for Hyperbaric Medicine and Wound Healing. Dr. Ding is a graduate of the University of Sheffield Medical School (United Kingdom).
Eileen Curry, RN, manager and certified wound care nurse
Barbara Walsh Rego, RN, certified wound care nurse
Helen Welch, RN, safety officer

For Medical Professionals/Referring Physicians