Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine

Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine in Lewiston, Maine

At St. Mary’s Health System, our Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine team provides specialized care for chronic and non healing wounds. We help patients manage complex conditions, promote healing, and reduce the risk of complications using evidence based treatments and advanced therapies.

Located in Lewiston, our team serves patients from Androscoggin County and communities across Maine. Care is personalized, collaborative, and focused on helping patients heal while staying close to home.

Treating wounds competently and as quickly as possible is important to avoiding infection and/or re-injury. Our Wound Care Clinic offers a wide range of services, including but not limited to:

  • Treatment of wounds caused by injuries, surgery, and diabetes, as well as ostomy care
  • Care for common wounds, including diabetic ulcers, venous stasis ulcers and pressure ulcers, as well as the latest advancements in wound care, including hyperbaric oxygen therapy
  • A wide range of resources for individuals with skin issues related to diabetes and/or neuropathy, which causes numbness or weakness in the hands or feet, as well as other conditions that require more aggressive treatment than is available in traditional medical settings
  • Helping patients avoid complications such as chronic wounds which can sometimes lead to serious infection and even loss of limb
  • Foot and nail care, especially for diabetics and those with neuropathy, which can cause numbness and weakness in the hands and feet
  • Removal of suspicious growths and moles, with biopsy

In addition to preventive services to safeguard against skin wounds or slow down their progression, we can provide a seamless transition to more advanced wound care, if necessary, including hyperbaric oxygen therapy, skin grafting, orthotics and more.

What to Expect

While every patient is unique, we’ve developed an approach that helps to ensure patients make the most progress possible as quickly as possible. Here’s what you can expect:

  • A genuinely caring and compassionate team of specially trained wound care RNs/MA’s and physicians, along with trained Hyperbaric RN’s/Technicians
  • Close collaboration with your specialist or primary care provider to develop an individualized plan of care
  • Regular private consultations with a nurse who specializes in wound care to monitor progress and make necessary adjustments to at home wound care equipment, supplies and processes
  • Education about the importance of proper wound care and assistance learning how to care for your wound at home

Accessing the Center

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) works by supplying high-pressure oxygen to the bloodstream. It helps to heal certain stubborn wounds which are very difficult to treat using conventional methods. HBOT can also be also used to treat carbon monoxide poisoning, decompression sickness after scuba diving (“the bends”) and the after-effects of radiation therapy.

What to Expect

As part of treatment, you will be placed in a special Hyperbaric chamber for the treatment. You will be able to change position, watch TV, listen to the radio, drink water or eat ice. You will be able to see and talk with the nurse at any time.

When treatment starts, you will hear a hissing sound as oxygen goes into the chamber. You will breathe 100% oxygen while you are in the chamber. You will feel warm for a few minutes at the start of treatment. You will feel cool at the end of treatment.

You may feel pressure or squeezing in your ears, sinuses or teeth. This is due to the change in air pressure. Some things you can do to prevent this are to flex your jaw by yawning, drink water, pinch your nose or swallow. Tell the nurse if you notice pain in your ears or other areas.

 

Virginia Coleman, ANP

St. Mary’s Center for Hyperbaric and Wound Care

Joan Flint, MD

St. Mary’s Center for Hyperbaric and Wound Care

Brooke Murch, PA-C

St. Mary’s Center for Hyperbaric and Wound Care

(207) 777-8100