The Wound Healing & Hyperbaric Oxygen Center

The Wound Healing & Hyperbaric Oxygen Center (WHC) at the Arizona Heart Hospital is dedicated to the treatment of chronic, slow-healing wounds. As specialists in this area, we have the knowledge, experience and facilities necessary to promote the quickest, fullest recovery possible. Our staff is committed to creating a customized treatment plan geared specifically to your needs.

At the WHC, we know that correcting the causes of chronic wounds, clearing up the infection and improving your overall health is what it takes for wounded areas to heal. We have a proven track record at healing complicated wounds – 90% of the patients we treat are healed within 16 weeks.

A Message for Physicians
As a referring physician, we respect the relationship you have with your patient. Our goal is to maintain an open line of communication with you. We want you to feel comfortable asking questions, making referrals and resourcing AzHH's physicians and clinical staff.

By Your Side – The WHC Team
Our experienced doctors, nurses and therapists work together to create treatment plans specifically for your wound. The team at the WHC includes our:

• medical director, who is board-certified in General Surgery with expertise in vascular and endovascular surgery, and maintains communication with the patient's referring physician,
• medical staff, some of the finest wound care physicians, plastic and vascular surgeons and foot and ankle surgeons in Arizona,
• clinical nurse manager, who is specifically trained in wound management, educates patients and their families about wound care and oversees inpatient and outpatient services,
• nurse case managers with advanced certification in wound care,
• clinical dietician,
• social services specialists,
• physical therapists.

The Problem: Chronic Wounds
A wound is an opening in the skin that does not heal with regular medical treatment. Many things can cause wounds. If they are left untreated or unhealed, wounds can turn into more serious conditions, which may require amputation or cause a life-threatening infection.

The Warning Signs
Most chronic wounds will heal with proper treatment. It is important to know the warning signs of potentially chronic, slow-healing wounds. If you suffer from any of the following conditions, the WHC at the Arizona Heart Hospital can help you:

• diabetic foot ulcers,
• lower leg ulcers,
• pressure ulcers,
• bone infection (osteomyelitis),
• gangrene,
• skin tears or lacerations,
• burns,
• radiation burns,
• post-operative infections,
• circulatory problems,
• bites,
• slow-healing surgical wounds,
• failing or compromised skin or muscle grafts or flaps,
• any wound failing to heal in more than 30 days,
• any wound which has not responded to multiple treatments or therapies.

The Solution: Specialized Treatment
At the WHC, we treat serious, complicated wounds‹everything from diabetic foot ulcers to post-operative wounds to bone infections (osteomyelitis) and more. We use highly specialized therapies to speed the healing of these conditions.

Transcutaneous Oxygen Monitoring (TcPO2)
Determines the level of oxygenation available to the wound.

Doppler Evaluation of Pulses
Determines the amount of blood flow available to move nutrients and medication to the wound.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBO)
Provides the patient with 100% oxygen at increased atmospheric pressures, which helps the body fight infection and promotes healing. Hyperbaric oxygentherapy is helpful for patients who have carbon monoxide poisoning, bone infections (osteomyelitis) and other serious infections, crush injuries or injuries that affect circulation.

Wound Dressings
Creates the proper healing environment for the wound. Each wound careproduct used at the WHC is chosen to meet your specific needs.

Wound Debridement
A minor procedure to clean and encourage the growth of healthy tissues in the wound.

Vascular Surgery (when appropriate)
Re-establishes proper blood flow to the wound area. WHC patients requiring vascular surgery are treated by the finest physicians and most up-to-date technologies available at the Arizona Heart Hospital.

Patient Referrals
At the Arizona Heart Hospital's Wound Healing & Hyberbaric Oxygen Center, we respect the relationship between you and your doctor. That is why the WHC staff keeps in close contact with your doctor. After all, we share the same goal – successful treatment of your wound.

For more information, to schedule an appointment, or for referrals, please call us Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at 602-532-1700 or toll free at 1-800-345-4270.