Seton Health patients have access to the Capital Region’s only multi-patient hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) center, which offers pain-free, non-invasive treatment to improve medical conditions and wounds that are resistant to standard therapy. The center can accommodate up to 10 patients at a time, and offers patients more comfort and less anxiety than traditional hyperbaric chambers where a patient must lay in a cylindrical tube.

The first and only HBOT chamber in the Capital Region, Seton Health’s center offers a state-of-the-art, multi-patient chamber that can accommodate up to 10 patients at a time in a comfortable, seated environment. The treatment involves delivering high doses of oxygen to the body through special head gear while patients sit inside a pressurized chamber. The pressure in the chamber causes the oxygen to be dissolved in patients’ bloodstream and this extra oxygen is used by the body to help reduce swelling, control infection and stimulate the growth of new blood vessels allowing for conditions such as non-healing wounds to heal when they otherwise would not. Common conditions treated with HBOT include:

• Chronic non-healing diabetic foot wounds
• Compromised skin grafts
• Chronic bone infection
• Bone/tissue injuring resulting from radiation therapy

For patients’ entertainment and comfort, the center is air conditioned and equipped with a wide screen, high definition LCD television and DVD movies are shown regularly. Patients can even bring a beverage into the center in an approved bottle.

Typical hyperbaric treatments are two hours long and patients usually are treated six days per week for several weeks (often four to seven weeks). Following each treatment, patient feel invigorated and have increased energy and are free to go about their normal daily routine.