Wound Care & Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
On this page
Artesia General Hospital’s Wound Care & Hyperbaric Medicine center is the area’s only provider of advanced hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for chronic, non-healing wounds, including diabetic ulcers, radiation injuries, bone infections, and surgical wounds. Free transportation to appointments is available. Call (575) 736-8235 to schedule.
Comprehensive Wound Management
As an outpatient department of Artesia General Hospital, our center provides compassionate, specialized care for complicated wounds. If your wound hasn’t healed in four weeks, it may require specialized treatment.
We utilize a collaborative team approach to understand the root cause of your wound and develop a custom treatment plan. Our specialists monitor your progress on a weekly basis, adjusting treatment directions as needed to achieve the best outcome. We provide detailed at-home care instructions and, once the wound is healed, work with you on a prevention plan to keep the wound from recurring.
You may benefit from specialized wound care if you experience:
- A sore or skin ulcer that hasn’t healed in many weeks.
- Pain, redness, swelling, or odor at a wound site.
- Complications or infections from a surgical wound.
The Region’s Exclusive Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)
Artesia General Hospital is proud to have the only hyperbaric oxygen chambers in the region. HBOT promotes accelerated healing by increasing the amount of oxygen in your body tissue. This is done by entering a slightly pressurized, oxygen-rich environment (a hyperbaric oxygen chamber) for a set amount of time.
While each customized plan differs, most patients can expect a series of two-hour sessions held multiple times per week for maximum healing.
Conditions We Treat
We specialize in treating a wide range of complex conditions, including:
- Wounds that fail to improve in four weeks or longer
- Diabetic, venous, arterial, and pressure ulcers (including deep tissue injury)
- Radiation injuries to soft tissue, bone, and skin
- Surgical and traumatic wounds
- Post-operative and bone infections
- Burns, gangrene, and necrosis
- Decompression sickness (the bends)
Advanced Treatment Options
Beyond HBOT, our center offers a comprehensive suite of therapies:
- Advanced wound dressings and topical wound care
- Wound debridement
- Bio-engineered skin grafting/flapping
- Compression therapy
- Infection control
- Diabetic education and rehabilitation services
Free Patient Transportation
Artesia General Hospital offers free transportation for non-emergency medical appointments. Our wheelchair-accessible vans and friendly, certified drivers will pick you up right at your door and take you to any Artesia General Hospital campus.
- Hours: Monday – Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Schedule a Ride: Call 575.736.8211 or email [email protected].
- Please note: Our drivers cannot assist passengers with leaving their homes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a chronic wound? A chronic wound is any wound, sore, or ulcer that fails to improve after four weeks of standard medical care. These wounds often require specialized treatment to identify and resolve underlying issues like poor circulation, diabetes, or persistent infection.
How does Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) work? HBOT allows you to breathe 100% pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber. This safely delivers high concentrations of oxygen to your bloodstream and tissues, which stimulates the growth of new blood vessels, fights infection, and significantly accelerates the healing process.
Does hyperbaric oxygen therapy hurt? No, HBOT is completely painless. The only sensation most patients feel is a slight pressure in their ears during the compression and decompression phases—very similar to the feeling of popping your ears when flying in an airplane.
How long does a hyperbaric oxygen session take? Most HBOT sessions take about two hours from start to finish. Because consistency is key to cellular healing, treatment plans typically require multiple sessions per week over the course of several weeks.
Do I need a doctor’s referral to make an appointment? While many of our patients are referred by their primary care provider or a surgeon, you can often contact our clinic directly to schedule an evaluation. Give us a call at (575) 736-8235, and our staff will help determine your specific insurance and referral requirements.
What should I wear to my HBOT appointment? Because you will be in a 100% oxygen environment, safety is our top priority. We will provide you with 100% cotton garments to wear during your treatment. You cannot wear makeup, lotions, perfumes, hair products, or jewelry inside the chamber.
