McMinnville, OR — Willamette Valley Medical Center (WVMC) is expanding access to advanced wound care through Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT), an evidence‑based therapy available through the hospital’s Wound Care & Hyperbaric Medicine Clinic. The therapy supports healing for patients with chronic, non-healing wounds that have not responded to traditional treatment.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is often an important component of wound care. When combined with advanced wound management, proper nutrition, and treatment of underlying medical conditions, HBOT can significantly improve healing outcomes for patients whose wounds have not responded to traditional therapies.

HBOT is a non‑invasive treatment that delivers 100 percent oxygen in a pressurized chamber. This increased pressure allows oxygen to dissolve into the bloodstream at higher levels, enabling it to reach damage tissues more effectively. As a result, the body experiences a substantial increase in available oxygen which is critical for tissue repair and recovery.

The enhanced oxygen delivery provided by HBOT supports healing in several key ways, including:

• Improving oxygen delivery to injured or compromised tissue
• Accelerating wound healing rates
• Helping control certain infections
• Promoting the growth of new blood vessels

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been shown to be effective in treating a variety of wound‑related and radiation‑related conditions, including:

• Chronic refractory osteomyelitis
• Lower extremity diabetic ulcers
• Radiation cystitis
• Radiation necrosis
• Failed or compromised skin grafts

“With hyperbaric oxygen therapy, we are able to offer an additional level of support for patients with complex wounds,” said Ryan Fernandez, clinic director. “This therapy allows us to enhance the body’s natural healing process and provide patients with access to highly specialized care close to home.”

The Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine Clinic is a physician led, multidisciplinary program providing advanced care for complex or non-healing wounds. The clinic treats wounds related to diabetes, circulatory disorders, pressure injuries, radiation damage, and other conditions that impair healing. Care is individualized and coordinated with referring providers and includes advanced wound therapies, including hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

"Our Wound Care Center represents the intersection of advanced medical technology and deeply personal patient care," said Dewane Pace, Chief Executive Officer of Willamette Valley Medical Center. “A non-healing wound is often a barrier to a person's livelihood and happiness. By providing specialized intervention, we aren't just treating a physical ailment; we are giving people their lives back. The goal is always total recovery, when we see a patient return to work or walk unassisted for the first time in months, we know we’ve fulfilled our mission.”

Patients and referring providers can learn more about hyperbaric oxygen therapy and advanced wound care services by visiting WillametteValleymedical.com or contacting the Wound Care & Hyperbaric Medicine clinic directly at 503.472.5749.