SJEH Upgrades Wound Healing Capabilities

Patient in hyperbaric chamber watches television and converses with technician by telephone.

St. John's Episcopal Hospital has expanded and renovated its Center for Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine. The new Center consolidates its wound healing service and hyperbaric oxygen therapy program into one comprehensive, state-of-the-art program located in a 4,500 square-foot space. The renovation, costing more than $1 million, features spacious new treatment rooms, waiting area, a vascular laboratory, and two new hyperbaric oxygen therapy chambers, with the capacity to add two additional chambers. In the near future, the Center may also offer onsite vascular studies, a diagnostic tool that helps physicians evaluate one's blood circulation.

"We now have an ideal, beautiful Center for the treatment of those who suffer from non-healing wounds," said Lloyd Bardfeld, DPM, Co-Director of the Center for Wound Healing and Chief of Podiatry at St. John's. "The Center is spacious and easily accessible for wheelchairs and provides comfortable accommodations for the high level of care and activity that goes on there," added Gilbert Makabali, MD, Chairman of Surgery and the Center's Co-Director.

Co-Directors of the Center for Wound Healing: Lloyd Bardfeld, DPM, (left front) and Gilbert Makabali, MD; with the wound-healing team.

Non-healing wounds, caused by diabetes, osteomyelitis, radionecrosis, and lymph edemas, afflict three to five million Americans a year. These chronic sores may become infected and ultimately lead to limb amputation. At the Center for Wound Healing, the staff evaluates the wound and your general health. They then design a treatment program based on your special needs, and may include regular visits, and detailed instructions in home care, bandage changes and protecting your wound from further injury.

Treatment may include the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy, which enhances the body's own natural healing process by delivering pure oxygen to damaged tissue. Oxygen saturation improves the ability of white blood cells to kill bacteria, lessens local swelling and promotes the growth of new blood vessels in the affected area. During a treatment, the patient rests comfortably in a state-of-the-art hyperbaric chamber, while watching television or reading. Patients are continuously monitored by a technician and can converse through an intercom.

The wound-healing team includes a wide range of related physicians and surgical specialists, podiatrists, nurses and technicians. They are supported by fellows from the podiatric medicine residency program, who are receiving an additional year of specialized training in wound healing.

Many health plans cover wound treatment. Please be sure to bring your insurance cards with you when you visit the Center for Wound Healing.

To be evaluated for wound care treatment, or for more information please call 718-869-8306.

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