Hyperbaric oxygen chambers in Denver

Chronic and non-healing wounds and diseases can cause a lot of pain and stress for patients and their families. HealthONE's hyperbaric centers help ease those concerns alone with your symptoms. They offer complete hyperbaric medicine services to treat your wounds and diseases that are resistant to other surgical or medicinal treatments.

The hyperbaric medicine we provide is also known as "hyperbaric oxygen therapy" (HBOT). It uses a hyperbaric (i.e., high pressure) dose of oxygen to help your blood carry more oxygen to your organs and tissues. This promotes faster, better healing and can provide relief for even the most critically ill patients.

To learn more about our hyperbaric medicine services, call (303) 575-0055.

Advanced wound healing with hyperbaric medicine

Hyperbaric therapy involves breathing oxygen while inside a pressurized chamber, allowing the lungs to collect more oxygen than they can at normal air pressure. The oxygen-saturated blood moves throughout the body where it:

  • Aids in repairing tissue that has been negatively affected by poor circulation
  • Enhances the ability of your white blood cells to kill bacteria and fight infection
  • Helps new blood vessels grow
  • Improves the body’s overall ability to heal chronic and non-healing wounds and diseases

Multiplace hyperbaric chamber

The Hyperbaric Medicine Center at Presbyterian/St. Luke's Medical Center has the only multiplace hyperbaric chamber in the region. This is a chamber that can accommodate several patients at once and is larger and less confining than a single-patient chamber.

Pediatric hyperbaric chamber in Denver

Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children at Presbyterian/St. Luke's Medical Center offers HBOT for children with non-healing or chronic wounds and conditions. Our hyperbaric staff is experienced in working with children to ensure your child gets the compassionate and high-quality care they deserve.

Conditions treated by HBOT

HBOT is helpful for many injuries and conditions, saving patients from amputation and offering hope to those who have not had success with traditional therapies. In addition to non-healing wounds, hyperbaric therapy can be used to treat:

  • Acute arterial insufficiency
  • Atherosclerosis of the native arteries with ulceration
  • Carbon monoxide poisoning
  • Central retinal artery occlusion
  • Compartment syndrome
  • Crush injuries
  • Decompression sickness and air embolism (also known as "diver's disease," decompression illness (DCI) or "the bends")
  • Diabetic lower extremity (foot) ulcers
  • Gangrene, including gas gangrene
  • Necrotizing fasciitis and other soft tissue infections
  • Non-healing or compromised skin grafts and flaps
  • Osteomyelitis (bone infection), including chronic refractory osteomyelitis
  • Osteoradionecrosis
  • Radiation effects and injuries, such as soft tissue radionecrosis
  • Sudden sensorineural hearing loss
  • Thermal burns

Post-radiation healing complications

Radiation therapy is commonly used in the treatment of cancer. It has cured or extended the lives of untold numbers of those with cancer. However, radiation can have an adverse effect on normal tissue, causing inflammation of the tiny capillaries that provide oxygen to your tissues. Over time, these capillaries scar, preventing blood flow and oxygen from reaching the tissues. HBOT can help with this issue, promoting healing and relieving symptoms.

Preparing for hyperbaric oxygen therapy

Ask your doctor how to prepare for your session, but some general guidelines include:

  • You will be provided with a hospital gown to wear while you are in the chamber.
  • Do not wear cosmetics, perfumes, hair preparations, deodorants, wigs, jewelry or electronic devices inside the chamber.
  • Most pacemakers are allowed in the chamber, but be sure to inform a staff member beforehand if you have one.
  • Tell the technologist if you are taking any medications, including non-prescription drugs.
  • Do not drink alcohol or carbonated beverages for four hours prior to treatment.

Smoking and other tobacco products interfere with your body’s ability to effectively transport oxygen. Therefore, your doctor will work with you on techniques to help you stop smoking during your treatment period.

Frequently asked questions about HBOT

What is the hyperbaric chamber like?

A typical HBOT chamber is a cylindrical, see-through chamber with a comfortable bed inside. We also offer multi-person chambers in which more than one person can be treated at once, sitting or lying down comfortably in a spacious environment.

Does HBOT hurt?

No, you will not have any pain, but your ears may feel full or under pressure, similar to how you feel when riding in an airplane. Our specialists will help you clear that pressure and ensure you are comfortable.

Do I have to have HBOT every day?

That depends largely on your medical condition. Some injuries can often be treated with a single hyperbaric treatment, others will require additional treatments.

Patients normally receive HBOT five days a week for approximately four to six weeks. One treatment session takes about two hours and is a comfortable experience for most patients.

Can I have HBOT twice in a day?

Studies show twice-daily treatments do not increase the healing rate or decrease the healing time except for critically ill patients. A treatment schedule of at least five out of seven days a week is best to ensure ongoing healing.

What’s the difference between HBOT and "oxygen bars"?

Breathing oxygen at ordinary atmospheric pressures, such as at an oxygen bar, for short periods of time provides little, if any, benefit for any medical conditions.

HealthONE Hyperbaric Medicine Locations

The Medical Center of Aurora

Address:
1400 S. Potomac St. Suite 110
Aurora, CO 80012

Contact Information:
(303) 338-7151
(303) 338-7178 (fax)

North Suburban Medical Center Wound Care and Hyperbaric

Address:
9141 Grant St Suite B-40
Thornton, CO 80229

Contact Information:
(303) 453-2554
(303) 453-2548 (Fax)

Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center

Address:
1719 E. 19th Avenue
Denver, CO 80218

Contact Information:
(303) 839-6900
(303) 839-6157 (fax)
PSLM.HYPERBARIC@HealthONEcares.com

Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children

Address:
2001 High St.
Denver, CO 80205

Contact Information:
(303) 839-6900
(303) 839-6157 (fax)
PSLM.HYPERBARIC@HealthONEcares.com

Rose Advanced Wound Care

Address:
4545 E. 9th Ave, Suite 220
Denver, CO 80220

Contact Information:
(303) 329-4840
(303) 329-4849 (fax)

Sky Ridge Advanced Wound Clinic

Address:
10103 Ridge Gate Parkway
Lone Tree, CO 80124

Contact Information:
(720) 225-2440
SRMC.WoundCare@HCAHealthcare.com

Swedish Medical Center Wound Center

Address:
601 E Hampden Ave Suite 110
Englewood, CO 80113

Contact Information:
(303) 788-6660
(303) 788-6667 (fax)