Treating Wounds That Won't Heal
The Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Program at Saint Francis can help. We deliver compassionate care, with a focus on improving your quality of life.
The Saint Francis Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Program is dedicated to the treatment of chronic, non-healing wounds and other medical conditions. Every year non-healing wounds caused by diabetes, poor circulation or other health-related conditions keep millions from living a fulfilling lifestyle. We deliver compassionate care, with a focus on improving your quality of life.
Watch this short video to learn more about our program.
Saint Francis Memorial Hospital's Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) Program is the only hospital-based HBOT program in the city of San Francisco. This video features teacher Don Neuwirth, who battled stage 4 prostate cancer with several surgeries and extensive radiation therapy. He eventually developed radiation cystitis, which was very painful and difficult to manage, and his urologist recommended HBOT. During HBOT the patient is given 100 percent oxygen in a highly pressurized chamber in order to oxygenate the blood and tissues and speed the healing process. HBOT is also used for diabetic ulcers of the lower extremities, necrotizing fasciitis, carbon monoxide poisoning, radiation burns, burn injuries, sensorineural hearing loss, and reconstructive surgery recovery.
Wounds need oxygen to heal. During Hyperbaric Oxygen (HBO) therapy, patients are given 100% oxygen in a pressurized environment. We combine pressure and oxygen to increase the amount of oxygen in the bloodstream. This helps to speed the healing process.
HBO therapy is an outpatient service provided five days a week for several weeks, depending on your diagnosis, the extent of your wound, and our response to therapy. All treatments are physician supervised and last approximately two hours from start to finish. Chambers are equipped with a television, DVD player, and CD player so you can pass the time with ease.
You may find the answers to many of your questions about HBO here.
The service is staffed by hyperbaric medicine physician specialists, a hyperbaric certified nurse, and a hyperbaric technician.
For more information on Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, please call (415) 353-6700.