Wound Care Center dedicated to helping five million people in America

Wound Healing Lower Bucks Hospital offers specialized, outpatient care for non-healing wounds, including hyperbaric oxygen therapy at our Wound Care and Hyperbaric Center.

Cared for by Our Multidisciplinary Team When patients come to our Wound Care and Hyperbaric Center, they can rest easy knowing they are receiving care from a multidisciplinary team of highly qualified medical professionals.

Our team includes the following: · · · · · · · ·

Certified wound specialists Vascular surgeons Plastic surgeons Orthopedists Infectious disease specialists Certified wound nurses Endocrinologists Hyperbaric medicine doctors

Our team of doctors, nurse practitioners and nurses provide the latest treatments available to promote healing of chronic wounds and help patients recover as quickly as possible. We provide care for: · · · · · · · · ·

Bone infections Diabetic foot and leg wounds Recurring wounds Surgical wounds Ulcers, including ischemic, pressure and venous stasis Wounds association with radiation therapy Pressure ulcers caused by sitting or lying in one position for too long Trauma-related wounds Radiation tissue damage

· · · · ·

Tissue injury caused by radiation therapy for cancer, such as injury to the jaw, dentition (teeth), breast, bladder, intestines, rectum or skin Gangrene Lymphedema Burns Other conditions such as bites, infections and more

Our patients often have underlying medical conditions: diabetes, neuropathy, arthritis, venous insufficiency, peripheral arterial disease—that can affect healing. A thoughtful and continually monitored, individualized treatment plan is paramount. To determine the best course of treatment, we will do a thorough evaluation of your wound and current health status. Lower Bucks Hospital health care professionals specialize in wound healing and will educate you about the cause of your wound, and keep you informed throughout the healing process. They will provide information on how to: · · ·

Prevent wounds from happening Care for your wound Recognize early warning signs of complications

Treating Chronic Wounds with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Lower Bucks Hospital’s Center for Wound Care & Hyperbaric Medicine offers specialized, outpatient care for non-healing wounds, including hyperbaric oxygen therapy at our Wound Care and Hyperbaric Center. The Center combines compassionate, personalized care to treat chronic or nonhealing wounds.

What is a chronic wound?

Typically, a wound that does not respond to normal medical care within 30 days is considered a chronic wound. A chronic wound is often associated with inadequate circulation, poorly functioning veins, or immobility. Non-healing wounds lead to a poorer quality of life and, if left untreated, could lead to amputations.

Patients heal faster Treatments like hyperbaric oxygen therapy, debridement, dressing selections, special shoes and patient education are offered to heal our patients so they can get back to their daily routines faster than with other options.

How does hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) work?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) serves an important role in wound treatment. HBOT uses specially designed chambers to increase the amount of oxygen in the bloodstream, which then accelerates the body’s natural healing process. This is used to treat problematic, non-healing wounds.

HBOT helps heal the wound from the inside out. It is also effective in fighting certain types of infections, improving circulation, stimulating growth of new blood vessels, and treating crush injuries, and diabetic wounds of the lower extremities.

It acts as complementary therapy for patients with complex or non-healing wounds or tissue damage caused by infection or prior radiation therapy. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy helps to: · Stimulate new tissue growth and new blood vessel formation

· Decrease edema (fluid buildup in tissues) · Fight infection · Improve the effectiveness of antibiotics We offer customized treatment plans designed to address the specific type of wound you have as well as any factors or health conditions that may impair wound healing. This starts with a review of your medical history and assessment of your physical health that may affect healing. Your individualized plan will include regular visits to the Wound Healing & Hyperbaric Center where we will treat your wound and evaluate your progress.

Thorough our wound evaluation, we carefully examining your wound, and our wound specialists will investigate the cause or causes of the wound as well as any health factors that may be hindering wound healing. Specialized testing also may be done, for example to check the quality of your blood flow.

Education about healing and preventing wounds is key to our process. During your treatment, you and your family members or caregivers will be taught how to care for your wound at home and about lifestyle changes that can help improve healing. You will also learn how to prevent wounds from recurring.

Are you a candidate for specialized wound care?

If you suffer from a chronic or non-healing wound, ask your physician about a referral to Lower Bucks Hospital Center for Wound Care, or contact the Center directly for an assessment. The Center will work with you and your doctor to deliver the following: An individualized, comprehensive plan of care that brings you the most appropriate and effective treatments for your specific needs Assessment and ongoing care by our highly skilled team of wound care specialists, including a case manager who will oversee every aspect of your treatment Education for you and your family to help healing happen at home, including materials and resources related to prevention, nutrition, hygiene, and more Ongoing communication and collaboration with you and your doctor so that you each remain informed about your progress Successfully treating a chronic wound often requires the efforts of several medical specialists. So, your participation in the healing process is extremely important and much of the success of your treatment relies on your commitment. Keeping your appointments, following directions and close monitoring between visits will help assure successful wound healing. The expert staff will educate you about the steps you will need to take to meet your healing expectations.

Medical Staff Dr. Jakumar Patel, board-certified plastic surgeon, Medical Director Melissa Zaba, RN, WCC, CHT Dee-Sholly-Dick, WCC Kathryn Darr, CHT

To schedule an appointment with a Lower Bucks Hospital Wound Care & Hyperbaric specialist, call (215) 785-9650 Hours of Operation Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. *Hours are by appointment only and are subject to change.

Erica