Penn Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine

At any given time, an estimated six million Americans suffer from problem wounds. There are many types of wounds. Some are associated with complications from diabetes and other related vascular disorders. Other types include pressure sores and traumatic wounds. At Penn Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine, our certified staff utilizes the most up-to-date approaches to wound healing. Our staff remains current in new scientific advances in wound care, including the use of a Hyperbaric Chamber, which is used in the treatment of diabetic extremity wounds, radiation tissue damage, and crush injuries.

Penn Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine is operated by Chester County Hospital in West Chester, PA. Our services are designed to be an extension of your primary physician's services in the rapid healing of your wounds. Our staff is committed to the healing of problem wounds through the combined efforts of highly trained professionals that include:

• Physicians with advanced training in wound management and hyperbaric medicine
• Nursing staff trained in the care of chronic wounds and certified as wound specialists
• Technicians who perform non-invasive studies and effective therapies
• Experienced office staff to assist with appointments, medical record management, and health insurance processing.

The Team at Penn Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine

Developing Your Personal Treatment Program

 

Dr. David W. D'Angelo, DO

Medical Director, Penn Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine

Upon arriving at the Penn Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine, you will undergo a thorough diagnostic examination to identify the type of wound that you have. Issues contributing to difficulties in healing will also be reviewed. Next, a results-oriented program specifically designed for you will be initiated based on the most effective treatment options available. Your treatment may include:

• Infectious Disease Management
• Diabetic Education
• Hyperbaric Chamber Treatment
• Vascular Evaluation
• Debridement
• Laboratory Evaluation
• Nutritional Management
• Compression Therapy
• Diagnostic Imaging

Once your personal treatment plan has been initiated, regular visits to Penn Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine will be established to manage your wound. Keeping appointments and following directions clearly are critical to attaining a positive healing outcome. You will also play an active role in administering your own wound care at home between visits, as well as learning how to protect your wound from further complications. You are the most important part of your healing process and by working together we can get you back on the road to good health.

Applying Hyperbaric Therapy

Penn Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine utilizes advanced technologies in the treatment of wounds, including hyperbaric oxygen therapy, originally derived from the diving and aerospace industry to provide proper oxygen levels to the body. During hyperbaric treatment, patients are placed into a comfortable and safe environment where they breathe 100% pure oxygen while under pressure of up to three atmospheres. Increased oxygen levels within the body speeds healing and helps fight infection, improves swelling and supports the development of new blood vessels. Treatments are safe, comfortable and in most cases, produce favorable outcomes when other conventional wound treatments have failed.

Disorders and injuries commonly treated using Hyperbaric Therapy include:

• Acute Carbon Monoxide Intoxication
• Decompression Illness
• Gas Embolism
• Gas Gangrene
• Acute Traumatic Peripheral Ischemia
• Crush Injuries
• Progressive Necrotizing Infections
• Acute Peripheral Arterial Insufficiency
• Preparation and Preservation of Compromised Skin Grafts and Flaps
• Chronic Refractory Osteomyelitis
• Osteoradionecrosis
• Soft Tissue Radionecrosis
• Cyanide Poisoning
• Actinomycosis
• Diabetic Wounds of the Lower Extremities 
• Delayed Radiation Injury
• Enhancement of Healing in Selected Problem Wounds

Prior to becoming a candidate for hyperbaric oxygen therapy, the patient will undergo a comprehensive evaluation where a tailored treatment plan will be developed by Clinic staff. Every patient is closely followed and evaluated throughout the program until complete wound healing has been achieved.