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 The Hyperbaric Oxygen (HBO) Therapy Program, a service of the Central Jersey Wound Treatment Center at Centrastate, offers those who suffer from chronic wounds the most sophisticated treatment technology available for promoting wound healing. Located at the Star and Barry Tobias Ambulatory Campus, 901 W. Main St., the Wound Treatment Center provides a multidisciplinary approach to the diagnosis and treatment of chronic wounds. |
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What Is Hyperbaric Oxygen (HBO) Therapy?
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HBO therapy is a non-invasive, safe and painless treatment option for wound care. During the therapy session, patients are placed in a specially designed hyperbaric chamber and breathe 100 percent oxygen at pressures up to three times the normal atmospheric pressure. This provides increased oxygen to damaged tissue—giving it the critical element necessary to fight infection and support the healing process. In fact, many wounds that fail to improve with other therapies can be healed by HBO therapy.
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About the Hyperbaric Therapy Team
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CentraState’s HBO Therapy Program is led by medical director Jody DiGiacomo, MD, who is board-certified in both surgery and HBO therapy. He works closely with a group of certified clinicians all specially trained in hyperbaric medicine. Our wound center team includes advanced practice nurses, physical therapists, and board-certified physicians from a variety of specialties, including podiatry, and general, vascular and plastic surgery. Together they diagnose and treat multiple types of wounds.
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Used in addition to traditional wound care, HBO therapy promotes oxygen transport to tissue that has been compromised by conditions such as trauma, infection, diabetes, advanced peripheral vascular disease, or the late effects of radiation treatment. This oxygen boost helps to:
- Stimulate new blood vessel growth in damaged tissue, which improves oxygen delivery and supports wound healing.
- Enhance the infection-fighting power of white blood cells that, when deprived of oxygen, are unable to kill the organisms they normally ingest.
- Kill the type of bacteria that causes life-threatening diseases such as gas gangrene.
- Reduce the inflammation and swelling that disrupts blood flow to the tissues.
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How Many HBO Therapy Treatments Are Needed?
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The amount of hyperbaric therapy treatments that may be needed depends on the nature of the problem and can range from 20-60 sessions over several weeks. Outpatients are generally treated once a day for approximately two hours, five days a week. The chamber is equipped with an audio-visual entertainment system, so patients can listen to music, or watch TV or movies to help pass the time.
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How Is Eligibility for HBO Therapy Determined?
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We work closely with referring physicians and conduct several tests to evaluate why a wound isn’t healing. Based on our findings, we will develop an individualized treatment program tailored to meet each patient’s needs. This might include bringing in other specialists from our Central Jersey Wound Treatment Center to provide comprehensive care. Our ultimate goal is to heal our patients’ wounds as soon as possible, so they can get back to enjoying life.
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For more information about CentraState's Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Program, call (866) NJWOUND.
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