Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been proven to help accelerate the healing of many types of wounds and injuries to the skin that have so far resisted conventional healing therapies. Hyperbaric Oxygen helps the body form new blood vessels to serve areas that have been injured or may be affected by circulation disorders such as peripheral arterial disease, diabetes, or previous medical treatments such as radiation. Patients that may benefit from HBOT are those patients with bone/tissue damage from radiation, diabetic foot ulcers that penetrate to bone, failed surgical flaps, chronic osteomyelitis, and other extremely difficult to heal wounds. 

Northern Light Mercy Hospital has two hyperbaric oxygen therapy chambers. Mercy’s hyperbaric chambers are transparent, single-person chambers, about the size of a hospital bed. Our specialized hyperbaric therapy team includes a physician, two nurse practitioners, and four hyperbaric certified nurses. Hyperbaric oxygen treatments usually last from one-and-a-half to two hours, administered once daily, five days a week. Treatment is usually 6 or 12 weeks long depending on your condition.  Patients can relax during treatment by listening to music or watching TV on a screen specially fitted to the chamber.

Our hyperbaric oxygen therapy requires a physician referral. Our staff will then verify if your insurance plan covers hyperbaric oxygen before you begin treatment. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is covered for specific diagnoses. While we communicate with insurance providers prior to starting treatment, it is highly recommended that patients contact their insurance prior to treatment. 

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