Press Releases
October 11, 2011
St. Barnabas Hospital Opens Only Comprehensive Wound Care/Hyperbaric Center in Bronx
The St. Barnabas Center for Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine, the only one of its kind in the Bronx, opens this month.
The center provides for the diagnosis and treatment of non-healing wounds through traditional therapies, as well as the submersion of patients in hyperbaric oxygen chambers that use 100 percent pressurized oxygen to promote healing. Therapeutic pressures range from 2-3 times atmospheric pressure.
“This is a full-service center that will help patients typically suffering from wounds that have not healed for more than 30 days, diabetic foot ulcers, various infections and other conditions,” said Dr. Ronald Verrier, a surgeon and co-medical director of the new center. “This is particularly important considering our patient population, which has a high percentage of diabetics who are susceptible to slow and non-healing wounds.”
A hyperbaric oxygen chamber is an enclosed tube-like structure which exposes a patient to increased atmospheric pressure. The combination of high pressure and pure oxygen drives the oxygen into the bloodstream at a very high concentration to aid in the healing and fighting of infection. In addition to treating wounds, it is used for decompression sickness, carbon monoxide poisoning, radiation injuries and other conditions.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is safe and painless. Patients recline during the 90- minute treatment, generally resting or watching television. The pressurization process is said to be similar to the sensation of landing in an airplane.
“Our multi-disciplinary team at the center offers a comprehensive approach for patients with chronic wound issues,” said Dr. Emilio Goez, a podiatrist, and co-director of the center. “This includes physicians with advanced training in wound management and hyperbaric medicine and nurses skilled in chronic wound care treatment.”
The center will also employ such therapies as Doppler Evaluation of Pulses, Wound Dressings, and Wound Debridement.
In addition to diabetes, chronic wounds can result from such factors as malnutrition, circulatory problems, infection, aging, kidney disease, obesity, swelling and arthritis.
For more information on the new center, or to make an appointment, call (718) 960-5064.