For Immediate Release

August 10, 2004

Mercy Memorial's Hyperbaric Chamber Improves Lives

Ardmore—If not for Mercy Memorial Health Center's newly acquired hyperbaric chamber, 79- year-old Billie Hickman would not want to be seen in public. When Hickman recently underwent surgery to remove the left side of her jaw, she was left with a gaping hole. When her body rejected a skin graft, she ended up at Mercy Memorial's Wound Care Center and Hyperbaric Medicine department.

"I had a large hole on the side of my face that wouldn't heal," said Hickman. "Now, it's just a small scar. I have made an amazing recovery. The difference between when I started the hyperbaric treatments to when they were completed is phenomenal. My friends and family just can't believe it."

The Sechrist 3200 Menoplace hyperbaric chamber—an acrylic cylinder where the patient reclines while receiving therapy—is the fist of its kind in southern Oklahoma. "Hyperbaric oxygen is a medical treatment in which 100-percent pure oxygen is delivered to a patient's body in a pressurized environment," said Larry Long, M.D.. medical director of Mercy Memorial's Wound Care Center and Hyperbaric Medicine. "This increases the amount of oxygen carried by the blood to all parts of the body and effectively helps promote healing and decreases infection."

The Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine Society has recognized hyperbaric treatments as effective therapy for 13 disorders including some non-healing skin ulcers, skin grafts and flaps, problem surgical wounds, diabetic wounds and thermal bums.

For Hickman. the experience and the results have been nothing short of amazing. "It's just like riding in an airplane," explained Hickman. "You get that feeling of pressure in your ears when you go up and down, but other than that there is no discomfort. I would recommend this treatment to anyone. I have nothing but praise for the hyperbaric treatment and for the staff in this department."

"Amazingly, in about 80 percent of the cases, we see significant improvement or complete resolution," added Dr. Long. "Not everyone will respond to oxygen therapy as well as Mrs. Hickman, but we believe that it will make a profound difference in the lives of many of our patients."

Hyperbaric treatment is available by physician referral only. If you suffer from a chronic wound, contact your primary care physician and ask to be referred to Mercy Memorial's hyperbaric program.

"This is just one more way we are reaching out to meet the healthcare needs of Ardmore and the surrounding communities," said Bob Thompson, Mercy Memorial president and CEO. "It is our hope that by providing services such as hyperbaric medicine, we can make medical treatment more accessible to out patients and they can have the convenience of care close to home."

Mercy Memorial Health Center is a member of Mercy Health System of Oklahoma and the Sisters of Mercy Health System-St. Louis.

###