Tower Health Medical Group Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine - Wyomissing

Planning your visit

A physician at the wound care center must examine the patient and decide whether hyperbaric treatment is appropriate before HBOT begins.

Most patients receive between 30 and 40 treatments, depending on the condition and response to therapy; each treatment lasts about two hours, usually once daily, Monday through Friday. The program operates by appointment, and wound care is usually given on an outpatient basis; patients may drive themselves to the center and should plan two and a half to three hours for each visit. The center provides clothing for treatment. Patients are asked not to wear makeup, wigs or hairpieces, nail polish, contact lenses, deodorant, skin lotions, perfume, cologne or aftershave, jewelry or watches, or hair sprays or oils, and nothing such as gum, candy or loose dentures may be in the mouth during treatment. Before each treatment a technician takes vital signs, listens to the lungs, examines the ears and runs safety checks; patients with diabetes have blood sugar checked before and after each treatment. Patients should take their medicines as prescribed and eat a good meal before arriving. Family members wait in a waiting room, and a trained staff member stays in the room and can communicate with the patient throughout. Patients can see out of the chamber in all directions, and for anxious patients the doctor can prescribe medicine to help them relax. Patients should tell the doctor about any internal or external battery-operated medical device and any past chemotherapy, and tell staff about colds, flu or other illness and any medication changes. Patients are asked not to smoke or use tobacco during the course of therapy.