SWMC Nears Completion of Wound Care Center Construction

Construction of Southwest Medical Center’s new Wound Care Center has reached a new milestone with the installation of the center’s hyperbaric chamber this month.

This hyperbaric chamber will be used by the Wound Care Center to provide Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) to patients with a variety of medical conditions. During HBOT treatment, patients rest inside the 7-foot-long chamber which becomes pressurized and filled with 100 percent pure oxygen.

Most HBOT treatments are performed to help treat wounds which resist standard wound care, such as skin grafted wounds, diabetic leg or foot ulcers, seriously infected wounds, and wounds caused by radiation therapy. Healing takes place as patients breathe pure oxygen inside the chamber. This increase in oxygen is absorbed into the bloodstream and carried to areas of body tissue in need of healing. HBOT treatments typically last one to two hours and may be scheduled daily over the course of 20 to 30 days, depending on the patient’s medical needs. Patients can be referred for HBOT treatments by Southwest Medical Center’s general surgeons.

Southwest Medical Center general surgeon, Dr. Jose Maeda, explained that HBOT can be used to treat a variety of wounds and conditions in a way that surpasses conventional treatments.

“HBOT has been used as an adjunct therapy in the treatment of non-healing wounds, compromised skin grafts, and other wounds,” Dr. Maeda said. “The use of HBOT for these indications has demonstrated faster and better results than traditional care and methods.”

SWMC President and CEO, Bill Ermann, said launching this new service will meet the needs of many patients and families in Liberal and surrounding areas.

“SWMC recognizes the need to keep services close to home,” Ermann said. “We are proud to have surgeons who have special expertise in advanced wound care, which is a greatly needed service in our community. Treatments provided in our Wound Care Center will have a very positive impact on the lives of patients who are concerned about wounds posing serious health risks.”

The Wound Care Center will be located on the second floor of the Medical Office Building at Southwest Medical Center in Liberal. SWMC’s general surgeons, Dr. Rory Howard and Dr. Jose Maeda, will work in conjunction with a nurse practitioner to oversee HBOT treatments. The clinic is expected to begin accepting patients in August