Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)
More oxygen to help injured tissue heal.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) uses 100% oxygen inside a pressurized chamber to increase oxygen levels in injured tissue. That oxygen helps trigger processes your body uses to repair itself, including new blood vessel growth, cell activity and collagen production.
At Kootenai Clinic Wound Care, this advanced treatment is available here in North Idaho for specific conditions that can benefit from increased oxygen—such as severe diabetic wounds, chronic bone infections and tissue damaged by the long-term effects of radiation. Your hyperbaric provider will evaluate your condition and determine whether HBOT may be an appropriate part of your treatment.
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See What Hyperbaric Treatment Is Really Like
Step inside Kootenai Health’s hyperbaric program to see how treatment works and hear from our team about what to expect from your first visit through treatment.
Where HBOT Can Make a Difference
Conditions Treated
HBOT may be used when increased oxygen can support healing or recovery, including for difficult-to-heal wounds, chronic bone infections and tissue damaged by radiation.
- Diabetic foot ulcers, Wagner grade III or worse
- Radiation injuries, including radiation cystitis, proctitis, colitis and enteritis
- Laryngeal radiation injuries with difficulty swallowing
- Osteoradionecrosis
- Soft tissue radionecrosis
- Compromised skin grafts and flaps
- Chronic refractory osteomyelitis
- Sudden sensorineural hearing loss
How HBOT Supports Healing
Increasing oxygen in injured tissue can help activate the body's natural healing response. HBOT can:
- Stimulate new blood vessel growth
- Support cell movement into areas of injury
- Promote collagen production
- Help control infection
- Reduce swelling and inflammation
- Improve tissue damaged by wounds or radiation
HBOT is often one part of a larger treatment plan. For some wounds, it can help prepare tissue for surgical closure. For chronic osteomyelitis, it may be used alongside IV antibiotics and other medical treatment. For radiation injuries, treatment focuses on improving the quality of damaged tissue and reducing symptoms.
What to Expect
Your first visit is an evaluation with a hyperbaric provider. They’ll review your condition, determine whether HBOT is appropriate and recommend a treatment regimen.
Your treatment plan may include:
- 20–40 treatments depending on your condition
- Treatment five days a week
- Sessions lasting approximately two hours
Before treatment begins, you’ll receive instructions about what to expect. You may also tour the facility and see the hyperbaric chamber ahead of your first session.
Call Kootenai Clinic Wound Care at (208) 625-6944.
View test results and medical history anytime.
Check out MyChart Getting Started Guide or ask our nurses or front office to get started.
