For Immediate Release

May 14, 2004

Mercy Memorial Purchases Top of the Line Hyperbaric Chamber

Ardmore — Mercy Memorial recently purchased a hyperbaric chamber for the newly named Mercy Memorial Wound Center and Hyperbaric Medicine. The center now offers hyperbaric oxygen treatments for patients with certain chronic wounds. 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 burns.

“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 Wound 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.”

Benefits of hyperbaric treatments include increased blood flow to injured tissue, formation of new blood vessels, reduced swelling, increased ability to fight infection, enhanced wound healing, increased new bone formation and reduced effects of toxic substances.

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

Mercy Memorial’s new chamber is the Sechrist 3200 Monoplace Hyperbaric Chamber. The seamless, clear acrylic cylinder allows unobstructed viewing. This not only minimizes patient anxiety, but also allows the wound care staff to readily maintain constant observation of patients for faster response to their needs. A specialized gurney and stretcher allows the patient to recline while receiving therapy. The wound care staff is also able to stay in constant contact with the patient through the use of internal/external speakers. In addition, the cylinder is equipped with audio input so patients can watch television during treatment.

“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 our 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.

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