What is The Center for Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine?
The Center for Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine is a joint-venture outpatient department of the Idaho Elks Rehabilitation Hospital [link] and St. Luke’s, [link] providing medical evaluation of patients with wound healing problems and specialized treatment of these wounds using the most advanced techniques, products, and services. The Center for Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine is staffed by a specially trained team of doctors, nurses, and other health care workers dedicated to the treatment of wound healing problems. All treatments, including hyperbaric oxygen treatment, are provided in an outpatient setting.

Why is a special center for treating wounds beneficial?
The Center for Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine fulfills the needs of patients who require specialized and aggressive care for their wounds that typically cannot be provided in traditional medical settings. Published medical and nursing evidence suggests that specialized centers for treating wounds improve outcomes by providing early and coordinated access to the full range of medical, surgical, and nursing interventions that may be required.

How many people have chronic, non-healing wounds?
It is estimated that nearly 5 million Americans suffer from chronic wounds. including those that are the result of diabetes, lower extremity arterial disease, lower extremity venous disease, edema, pressure ulcers, and traumatic injuries.

How do I know if I have a chronic, non-healing wound?
If a wound has not improved significantly in four weeks or if it has not completed the healing process in eight weeks, it should be considered a chronic wound and one at risk for prolonged non-healing. Patients who have diabetes, arterial disease, a chronic edema of the lower extremities, or a history of collagen vascular disease such as scleroderma or rheumatoid arthritis, should seek early referral to one of The Center for Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine clinics.

What are the causes of chronic wounds?
Diabetes, immobilization, chronic edema, and circulatory problems contribute to the majority of chronic, non-healing wounds. Approximately 1.5 million people with non-healing wounds have diabetes. Another 2.5 million patients have pressure ulcers. Each year 500,000 new lower extremity ulcers develop in patients with chronic venous insufficiency and stasis. Other chronic wounds are the result of traumatic injury, non-healing surgical incisions, and a variety of other diseases that affect the skin.

How do I seek treatment?
If you are suffering from a non-healing wound, talk with your primary care physician about other options you may have. Or, you may contact The Center for Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine by calling (208) 489-5800.