MDNews - Greater Boston

Peter Paicos, D.P.M., podiatric surgeon and associate Medical Director of the wound center, has been with the program since it began. at risk of losing the limb. Fifty percent of the patients to whom that occurs will die within a few years. Not only are we saving limbs, which is of paramount importance, but we're also saving lives." The center develops personalized, state-of-the-art wound treatment programs for each patient. These could include debridement, biologic skin substitutes, advanced dressings and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Pressure Points One of the most important investments the hospital has made in the center during the past few years took place in late 2011 when hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) was added to its arsenal. Dr. Breckwoldt describes HBOT as "a much-needed service for the community." A safe and evidence-based treatment, HBOT has allowed the center to build on what was already an impressive array of wound-care offerings. "We knew this component would significantly help the center," says podiatric surgeon Lieke Lee, D.P.M. "For patients who have wounds that are not healing, we can treat them here." The investment came about through a partnership with Healogics. As one of the leaders in wound care management, Healogics allows Winchester Hospital Mohammed Jaleel, M.D., Medical Director of Winchester Hospital's hospitalist program, is part of the multidisciplinary team. to offer the most advanced modalities, including HBOT. HBOT allows the Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Center to better treat challenging, non-healing wounds. Although not all patients require HBOT, about 8–15% of the wound care cases coming into the center benefit from the treatment. HBOT accelerates the healing process. Patients are placed in a pressurized chamber for roughly 90 minutes to two hours a day, five days per week for a four- to six-week period. Inside the chamber, patients breathe 100% oxygen. This rapidly and significantly increases the amount of oxygen carried in the bloodstream, allowing the body to send the oxygen to the wound and help it heal faster. HBOT helps reduce inflammation, improve circulation, fight infection and build new blood vessels, all of which lead to the production of healthy tissue. "A few of our patients had difficult, deep ulcers," says Mohammed Jaleel, M.D., Medical Director of Winchester Hospital's hospitalist program. "But as soon as the HBOT opened, those patients could get the treatment they needed. It has helped chronically sick patients tremendously. Their wounds heal much more quickly." As part of the HBOT investment, the center's renovation included enlarging treatment rooms and adding extra rooms, allowing the facility to handle more volume. working as a team The center is guided by the belief that a multidisciplinary approach to wound healing is critically important, which is why everyone works in partnership with the referring physicians throughout each patient's treatment plan. This multidisciplinary focus works largely because of the team the hospital has assembled. The staff includes physicians with advanced training in wound management and HBOT, nurses trained in the care of non-healing wounds, and technicians who perform various noninvasive therapies and studies, as well as experienced staff who assist with appointments, medical records and mdnEwS.COm ■ MD News Greater Boston |9

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