Hospital wound center to expand

The Connecticut state Office of Health Care Access has approved Stamford Hospital”™s request to expand its Wound Care Center to include hyperbaric oxygen-therapy services.

“The delivery of high doses of oxygen through HBOT has been clinically proven to speed healing and stimulate the body”™s own immune system to fight infections,” said William Heist, program director for the Wound Care Center. “Having this service in the Stamford community will be of great benefit to the patients we care for, many of whom are elderly and are restricted in their mobility.”

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy service, or HBOT, is considered the optimal treatment care for a range of chronic, nonhealing wounds.

The Wound Care Center treats patients with chronic wounds stemming from diabetes, venous stasis, collagen vascular disease, ischemia, pressure and other causes.

A chronic wound is defined as any wound that has not decreased in volume by 50 percent over a four-week period.

The Wound Care Center, which is currently located at the Tully Health Center, will relocate to a larger, renovated space at 1351 Washington Blvd. to accommodate the new hyperbaric oxygen-therapy service.

The move is expected to take place later this year. When the Wound Care Center relocates, it will be adjacent to the hospital”™s new Diabetes and Endocrine Center, which will open later this year, as well.

“Since many patients with diabetes are at risk of developing chronic wounds, this will create a great synergy for patients when seeking care,” said Heist.