Located in the Dialysis/Health Services Building at 623 Main Street in Olean, the new wound care center will feature two hyperbaric chambers, and three specially trained wound care physicians: Dr. Pierre Dionne, M.D. Dr. Lee Ruotsi, M.D., and Dr. William Chlosta, M.D.

The Causes of Chronic Wounds
The Center for Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine focuses on the evaluation and treatment of chronic wounds. Wounds in otherwise healthy individuals usually heal uneventfully on their own. In patients with chronic, non-healing wounds, there is frequently an underlying health problem preventing the wound from healing in a natural fashion. Some of the more common medical conditions in these individuals are diabetes, high blood pressure, peripheral arterial and venous disease, emphysema, arthritis, and cancer. Unhealthy lifestyle conditions such as excess body weight, poor dietary habits, and cigarette smoking also play an important role. The above conditions may exist alone or in combination with one or more other conditions, further complicating the picture. In addition, ongoing medical treatment such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and chronic steroid usage may further compromise the wound healing process.

Benefits of Wound Treatment at the Center
Our goal at the Center for Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine is to offer the highest level of wound care and overall patient service. We strive to improve the patient’s health, life style and quality of life. Our programs can relieve the patient’s pain and prevent recurrences of chronic wounds through patient education and proper care.

Patients of the Center benefit from an advanced level of care provided by a staff trained and specializing in the latest products and treatment methods available for the treatment of chronic wounds. We identify and treat each of the factors contributing to the chronic wound and coordinate our treatment efforts with the referring physician. The goal of the Center is to employ a comprehensive approach to the evaluation of the chronic wound patient, and not simply to the wound itself. Therefore, it is import that the patient closely follows the physician’s instructions with respect to wound care, underlying health problems and life style changes.

As part of your treatment, you may undergo laboratory tests, x-rays or other diagnostic tests to help develop a comprehensive and individualized course of treatment. Once the wound is healed, a follow-up plan is also instituted to reduce the risks of recurrence. Our treatment philosophy is not only to heal the wound but to also produce a healthier patient who is able to return to a productive lifestyle.

The Center offers specialized testing such as transcutaneous oxygen monitoring (tcp02). The tcpO2 monitor measures the oxygen in the tissues immediately adjacent to the wound and helps the physicians understand if the wound has an adequate oxygen supply for healing to occur. If the oxygen levels are inadequate, the patient may be a candidate for hyperbaric oxygen treatment or require further workup to test for arterial blockage.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a medical treatment which has been successfully used for treating certain medical conditions, including chronic wounds. Olean General Hospital offers hyperbaric oxygen therapy to selected patients upon physician referral, on either an emergent or outpatient basis.

With the patient lying in a specially designed medical device called a “hyperbaric chamber,” the chamber is pressurized with 100% oxygen. The patient breathes normally while the system pressure is increased. The increased pressure and oxygen concentration supersaturates the blood and tissues with oxygen and adds a dimension to the healing process not previously available in the region.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy treatment provides one or more of the following effects:

It is important to note that the effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy result from an oxygen-enriched bloodstream, and not from the oxygen’s direct contact with wounds or skin. This is why wound dressings are usually left in place during treatment.

Our Center may utilize hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the treatment of the following conditions:

The Hyperbaric Oxygen Chambers
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy at Olean General Hospital is administered in state-of-the-art, Sechrist model 3200 chambers.

The monoplace, or one-person, chamber is large enough to hold a seven-foot tall patient. It is constructed of a steel frame with a see through acrylic cylinder, which provides a sense of spaciousness. The chambers have a pressure capability of 3.0 atmospheres absolute, which is triple the normal atmospheric pressure. Technical innovations allow critically ill and ventilator dependent patients to undergo treatment in the monoplace chamber.

After changing into special 100% cotton clothing, provided by the center, the patient will lie down for treatment in the hyperbaric oxygen chamber. During the treatment you can watch television or a videotaped movie (DVD or VHS), listen to music, or nap. A two-way intercom enables the patient to communicate with a staff member who will be present at all times during the treatment.

Stages and Side Effects
The three (3) distinct stages of hyperbaric oxygen therapy are: compression, prescribed treatment pressure and decompression. During compression the patient may feel a “fullness or popping” of the ears similar to the experience of traveling in an airplane or driving down a mountain. Throughout this stage of therapy, the chamber operator will explain and demonstrate methods for the patient to safely clear or relieve the pressure in their ears.

Upon arriving at the prescribed treatment pressure, the patient will remain pressurized in a 100% oxygen environment. The patient will hear a slight “hissing” sound as the oxygen is circulated in the hyperbaric chamber. This sound will not prohibit the patient from enjoying entertainment options provided or a comfortable sleep. Chamber temperature can also be adjusted via a control valve to provide optimal patient comfort.

During decompression (ascent), as pressure is released from the chamber, the patient may experience a “crackling” sensation in their ears. This is easily relieved by swallowing or yawning.

Although rare, exposure to hyperbaric oxygen may produce some side effects. This will be discussed with the patient during orientation by the Hyperbaric Physician.

Medications
In anticipation of exposure to the hyperbaric environment, there are certain medications that may require adjustment or substitution due to exaggerated or diminished effects during treatment. These drugs include some cancer medications, nicotine products and alcohol consumed within eight (8) hours of treatment. Any change in medication or ongoing medical care will be coordinated between the hyperbaric physician and the primary treating physician. Any potential need for these changes will usually be clarified after the initial visit to the center and a comprehensive history obtained by the medical and nursing staff.

Smoking

Nicotine reduces the effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy and many wound healing processes. The patient must stop using tobacco once therapy has been prescribed, until the therapy is complete. Cigarettes, pipe tobacco, cigars, snuff, nicotine gum and patches are all detrimental to the healing process. Please notify the hyperbaric medical staff if you feel that these issues will present a problem for you.

Colds and Other Symptoms
The patient should notify a member of the hyperbaric medicine staff if they have any symptoms of illness including a cold, flu, cough, sore throat, runny nose, fever blister, cold sores, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and general “ache-all-over” feelings. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy may be postponed until symptoms subside and the patient has been cleared by the hyperbaric physician to resume the therapy.

Hyperbaric Chamber Safety
Electronics, metal objects, make-up, hair spray, nail polish, perfume, deodorant or lotions with petroleum or alcohol bases are not allowed during the course of therapy due to safety concerns. Please discuss any questions with the hyperbaric medicine staff to ensure your safety. There are posters located on the walls of the center to remind staff and the patients of the importance of safety including items that are prohibited from entering the hyperbaric environment.

Staff
The physicians, nurses and technicians are trained in all aspects of hyperbaric medicine. They work directly with the patient and the referring physician to develop an individualized treatment program for each patient.

Financial
Medicare and most insurance companies cover hyperbaric oxygen therapy as long as it is being used for problems hyperbaric oxygen therapy has proven to help. Most plans require that your treatment be pre-approved and some require a co-payment. Check with your insurance provider to verify coverage. If you have insurance, it is important that you bring your insurance cards when you come to the hospital. Should you change insurance companies during the course of therapy, please notify the office manager.

Location and Contact Information
The Center for Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine at Olean General Hospital is located in the basement of the Dialysis Building, 623 Main Street on the north end of the Olean General Hospital campus.

Scheduling
Our regular hours of operation are Monday through Friday, from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm excluding federal holidays. We remain available, however, on a twenty four (24) hour, seven-day-per-week basis for emergencies necessitating Hyperbaric treatment. The Center’s medical staff will schedule the timing and duration of each patient’s treatment plan in conjunction with the primary treating physician. There may be times, however, when treatments may be rescheduled or cancelled due to emergency situations.

Visitors
If family members accompany a patient, they will be asked to wait in designated waiting areas. Exceptions are made at the discretion of the Center’s medical staff on a case-by-case basis.

Parking
Patients of the Center should park in the Olean General Hospital Dialysis Building parking lot, 623 Main St., located north of the main hospital building. The center may be found by entering the lobby of the Dialysis Building, taking the elevator to the basement, then turning right to enter the reception to the Center for Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine.