Wound Care & Hyperbaric Medicine

The Center for Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine provides comprehensive outpatient wound care for chronic and non-healing wounds.

Berkshire Medical Center has collaborated with Berkshire Surgical Associates to help patients who are struggling with problem chronic wounds. Hyperbaric Medicine, or the use of pressurized oxygen, is now available to help heal troublesome wounds often caused by diabetes, circulatory disorders and other conditions. The Center for Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine is located on the third floor of the BMC Medical Arts Complex and features two state-of-the-art hyperbaric oxygen chambers.

"In our community, we see a growing number of patients who suffer from chronic wounds," said Dr. Richard Basile, Medical Director. "A vast majority of these patients suffer from diabetes and face a high rate of amputation and long hospital stays. Our collaboration focuses on finding more effective ways to care for these patients."

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is a treatment in which the patient breathes 100% oxygen while enclosed in a clear, specialized chamber at greater-than-normal atmospheric pressure. While breathing pure oxygen, blood becomes super-saturated, carrying 20 to 30 times the normal amount of oxygen to the body's tissues. The ultimate result is that the body's natural wound-healing mechanisms, which are oxygen dependent, are able to function more efficiently. Continued, intermittent use of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy increases the body's immune function and healing response.

"Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy has been a beneficial treatment option for patients suffering from non-healing wounds for many years," said Dr. Basile. "This type of treatment has been used for nearly 40-years, and results in several specific biological actions that enhance wound healing processes. The Center for Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine will provide clinical wound care combined with hyperbaric medicine, if necessary, and represents the highest level of care for patients with problem wounds. In addition, the staff will provide patients and caregivers with valuable educational tools, and will work closely with them to ensure the most successful outcomes."

The Center for Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine at BMC provides a comprehensive wound care program, and actively works with the patient's referring physician. "The Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy component of our program works in concert with other clinical treatments for non-healing wounds," said Dr. Basile. "In addition, it's important that we maintain an ongoing relationship with the patient's physician. As part of our process, we will be updating the referring physician regularly on the patient's progress."

Other services include bioengineered skin grafting and negative pressure wound therapy.

Location:

Berkshire Medical Center
777 North St.
Pittsfield , MA   01201
413-496-6870