Patients in Southern Illinois have access to advanced wound care services thanks to the specialized capabilities of the Wound Healing Centers at SSM health in Southern Illinois, including hyperbaric oxygen therapy at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Centralia.
St. Mary’s Hospital is the only hospital in the immediate area with the chambers required for the hyperbaric oxygen therapy, which is commonly used to treat chronic wounds related to diabetes, radiation injuries, bone infections, and other complex conditions. The therapy promotes angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, helping oxygen and nutrients reach tissues that might otherwise struggle to heal.
Area Program Director of the SSM Health in Southern Illinois Wound Healing Centers Pamela Ford says the nearest hyperbaric program outside of SSM Health is at least an hour away.
She notes when circulation has been compromised, the body sometimes struggles to get enough oxygen and nutrients to tissue. With this modality, Ford says they can help regenerate blood vessels by providing external oxygen, allowing the body to promote healing naturally.
In addition to the hyperbaric oxygen therapy, the Wound Healing Centers at both St. Mary’s Hospital and SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mount Vernon provide comprehensive care for chronic wounds, including diabetic foot ulcers, venous leg ulcers, and pressure injuries. Ford says the multidisciplinary team works closely with specialists in vascular medicine, endocrinology, surgery, radiation oncology, and other fields to identify and address barriers to healing.
“Many wounds don’t get treated because people think they’ll heal on their own. If the wound doesn’t heal in 30 days, it needs help. Sometimes, people simply live with their wounds because they don’t realize there are treatments available that can help them,” said Ford. “We are here to help. The sooner we can begin treatment, the better the opportunity for healing and a positive outcome.”
The Wound Healing Centers at the SSM Health in Southern Illinois ministries have produced positive results and have consistently achieved healing rates well above the national benchmarks. According to Ford, 98 percent of patients who seek care at the SSM Health in Southern Illinois Wound Healing Centers heal successfully.
