Maryland's Health Matters - MGH - Spring 2013 - (Page 9)

Margaret Little talks with Miles G. Harrison Jr., MD, about her treatment. a whole new paradigm available; a whole new set of medications and therapies that really do contribute to healing cleaned wounds that have been open for years,” Dr. Harrison says. Kapil Gopal, MD, MBA, medical director of the Maryland Wound Healing Center and associate program director of the Vascular Fellowship Program at the University of Maryland Medical Center, says, “Our program is successful because we have a multidisciplinary team focusing on wound care and creating individualized care plans.” Maryland General Hospital provides care for not only its own patients but those at University of Maryland Medical Center as well. The Maryland Wound Healing Center also has two single-use private hyperbaric oxygen chambers, which include a television for patients to watch during the one- to two-hour treatment sessions. (See sidebar at right.) Hyperbaric oxygen therapy was not applicable in Little’s case, but is used for patients who have diabetic ulcers or infection within their bones because of an open wound. Little couldn’t be more grateful to Dr. Harrison and the nursing staff of the Wound Healing Center for helping her on her journey. “Caring for others is why I chose to become a doctor,” Dr. Harrison says. He thinks of Little as the “ideal patient.” She is always punctual to her weekly appointments, calls him if she has questions and understands that having her wounds completely heal is a journey that won’t happen overnight. When asked how she managed to deal with her open wounds for so long, she responds, “I’ve never given up. I’ve gotten tired, but I’ve never given up. You should never give up and never let go.”  click “Directions & Parking” under “About MGH.” Miles G. Harrison Jr., MD, and nurse Frank Piskor (left) prepare the hyperbaric chamber for a patient. JUST THE FACTS: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy What is hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT)? HBOT is a method of administering highly concentrated oxygen to a patient to improve or correct certain health conditions. It has been used in the treatment of chronic wounds since the late 1800s. How does HBOT help speed up the healing process? The healing of a wound cannot take place without oxygen. In a hyperbaric chamber, the body is exposed to more oxygen than we can breathe in. That oxygen dissolves into the body’s ﬂuids, including plasma, the lymph and the cerebrospinal ﬂuid surrounding the brain and the spinal cord. These ﬂuids carry the extra oxygen to all areas of the body, including where circulation is poor or blocked. This extra oxygen helps speed up the healing process. It enhances the ability of our white blood cells to ﬁght infection, promote the development of blood vessels and build new connective tissue. What is a hyperbaric chamber? Hyperbaric chambers are cylindrical spaces, encased completely in glass, allowing patients to see from all sides. The patient lies ﬂat in a hospital gown with a few layers of blankets to ensure comfort. Just outside the chamber, a nurse sits with the patient throughout the entire treatment and is able to communicate with the patient through a special phone if the patient has questions during the session. How long are HBOT sessions? Patients typically will need to attend 20 consecutive, one- to two-hour sessions for healing to occur. marylandgeneral.org | Spring 2013 9 http://www.marylandgeneral.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Maryland's Health Matters - MGH - Spring 2013

Maryland's Health Matters - MGH - Spring 2013
Contents
A Healthy Start
Hope and Healing
The Breath of Life
At a Glance
News and Events

Maryland's Health Matters - MGH - Spring 2013