Wound Healing Center

Chronic Wounds CAN Be Healed

The Wound Healing Center at Paoli Hospital has been providing service since 1993. The Wound Care Team offers a comprehensive, conservative approach to treating patients. A board-certified general surgeon and a certified wound care nurse apply an interdisciplinary approach to the treatment of wounds.

Patients initially undergo a complete assessment to identify the underlying cause of the wound, and an individualized treatment plan is devised. When necessary, consultations in vascular intervention, diabetic and nutrition education, infectious disease, orthotics, compression therapy and other disciplines are readily available. We work directly with the primary and/or referring physicians to keep them informed of the patient's progress.

Many factors affect the healing of wounds. Diabetes, weight gain, heart disease, poor circulation and medications are just a few of the conditions that can slow down or stop a wound from healing. Consequently, wound healing is a complex process involving the patient, the environment and the healthcare professional. Our skilled physicians and staff provide a comprehensive program designed to heal the wounds, educate the patient and prevent recurrence.

Types of wounds treated include:

• Diabetic
• Arterial and/or venous
• Pressure
• Postinjury
• Postsurgical
• Postoncology
• Burn
• Nondescriptive

Available services include:

• Initial complete assessment and treatment plan with first visit
• Follow-up visits biweekly to bimonthly, depending on the wound
• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy 
• Vascular/laboratory studies
• Surgical procedures
• Protection/off-loading (pressure relief)
• Selective wound dressings
• Infection control
• Debridement (removal of dead tissue from the wound bed)
• Compression
• Grafts
• Education
• Referrals
• Ongoing patient follow-up
• Letters to referring physicians

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a medical treatment that allows patients to breathe pure oxygen while lying comfortably inside a pressurized chamber. Breathing 100 percent oxygen delivered at increased pressure increases the amount of oxygen being carried by the blood. This results in more oxygen being delivered to the organs and tissues in the body. This improves the benefits of certain antibiotics, activates white blood cells to fight infection and promotes the healing process in chronic wounds.

HBOT is well known for its use in underwater diving accidents, but it also has beneficial healing effects in other conditions, including:

• Radiation tissue damage
• Osteomyelitis (bone infection)
• Diabetic wounds of the lower extremities
• Other chronic nonhealing wounds

HBOT must be used in conjunction with a total care program, including good nutrition and daily wound care.

The Wound Healing Center at Paoli Hospital has been certified by the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) for its Hyperbaric Medicine Program. The UHMS recognized the Center for its high performance and standards of care, as it demonstrated a commitment to excellent patient care and facility safety. The Center is the first in Southeastern Pennsylvania to receive this distinction.

Learn more about HBOT by consulting our page of Frequently Asked Questions.

Patient Referral and Information

The Wound Healing Center is an outpatient program available at Paoli Hospital. We participate with most insurance payors. We will help in answering any questions concerning individual coverage.

To refer a patient for treatment or for additional information, please contact the Center at 484-565-1212 or Paoli Hospital at 484-565-1000.