|
Diabetes may have one less thing to worry about after a decision by Medicare to pay for hyberbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) for certain diabetic wounds.
"Hyberbaric oxygen therapy has been used extensively for treatment after an amputation," explains Jeff Mize, RRT, CHT, program director of Hyberbaric Oxygen of Kansas City, Inc. at Saint Joseph Health Center. "This is really good news for diabetics with certain non-healing wounds. It could help to prevent limb loss."
Hyberbaric oxygen therapy increases oxygen delivery to the damaged tissue and helps the wound heal. "There are very specific guidelines for this treatment," says Mize. "Criteria requires that standard wound therapy has been tried for at least 30 days without measurable signs of healing."
Earlier this year, Mary Ellen Daly thought her toe would have to be amputated. "She was obviously very concerned," says Daly's daughter, Sharon Adams. "We assured her we would do everything possible to keep that from happening. Fortunately, we got word that the Medicare guidelines would go into effect in April and we were able to hang on until then."
During HBO therapy, patients lie in an enclosed chamber while it is filled with oxygen. A session usually lasts about ninety minutes and during that time, patients can sleep, watch, TV or listen to music.
Adams says there has been improvement since her mother started receiving HBO therapy. "It's been slow, but steady. Without it, she would have already lost her toe."
Mize says HBO provides another treatment option for diabetic patients with non-healing ulcuers. This is the first addition to the list of indications in recent years.
For more information, call Hyberbaric Oxygen of Kansas City, Inc. at 816-943-4600.
|
