Upon your arrival to Hyperbaric Oxygen of Kansas City, our staff will obtain your medical history. We will assist you in obtaining any medical records, such as vascular studies or radiation reports, which are pertinent to your care.
During your evaluation, our physician will first try to understand the underlying cause of the wound and then will diagnose your condition as either a wound or an ulcer. A wound is a defect or break in living tissue that results from physical, mechanical or thermal damage, or from an underlying or physiological disorder. An ulcer is an open, slowly or non-healing (chronic) wound. One or more of the following can complicate a wound or an ulcer:
Pressure – This can impede the healing process. Ulcers that are a result of pressure by prolonged pressure are called decubitus ulcers. Elimination of the pressure is essential to the healing process. This can often be achieved through careful assessment and offloading of the pressure.
Nutrition – Because tissue injury results in increased metabolism and use of protein to promote wound healing, additional dietary sources are essential for patients with chronic wounds or ulcers. Often, special nutritional consultation is helpful.
Diabetes Mellitus – Another important factor that can impact the healing process is diabetes mellitus. Diabetes Mellitus can contribute to prolonged healing and infection. Blood glucose levels should be monitored and carefully controlled.
Peripheral Vascular Disease – This is sometimes referred to arteriosclerosis or “hardening of the arteries” and results in reduction in blood flow to the tissues, and a loss of the ability to adequately provide oxygen and nutrients to the affected area.
Infection – Evaluation and control of infection is very important. Obtaining a culture can do this. The goal of treating an infected wound or ulcer is to halt progression of the infection. When infection is present, common signs can be redness of the skin around the ulcer, foul odor, increased drainage, warmth or heat, edema or swelling.
Venous Insufficiency – A condition in which blood return from the legs is impaired resulting in edema and scarring.
Although a wound or an ulcer is characterized differently, both can result in emotional stress and negatively impact the patient’s quality of life. We recognize and will work with you to overcome barriers to wound healing.
At Hyperbaric Oxygen of Kansas City, we will utilize our 18 years of experience and state-of-the-art diagnostic tools to facilitate healing. We will coordinate care with your primary care physician or specialist to determine your plan of care.