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Understanding the Problem

Kootenai Clinic Wound Care provides wound treatment and Hyperbaric Medicine for patients in the inland northwest.

Who Benefits from Wound Care?

Most wounds heal on their own, however in some cases, wounds fail to progress. However, for some patients, the wound healing process is complicated or delayed due to factors such as advancing age, underlying chronic disease, poor circulation, immune system compromise, nutritional challenges, immobility, and past or current exposure to radiation therapy.

Under such conditions, a wound site can become an ongoing medical problem that benefits from specialized evaluation and treatment.

Your primary care provider can help you decide if your wound would benefit from the expertise of providers at our wound care facility.

Who Benefits from Specialized Treatment, such as Hyperbaric Medicine?

We specialize in treating patients with a variety of wounds and conditions, including:

• Diabetic foot wounds
• Venous stasis ulcers
• Arterial ulcers
• Pressure ulcers
• Wounds complicated by soft tissue or bone infection
• Non-healing surgical wounds
• Traumatic wounds
• Burns and radiation-related wounds
• Spider or animal bites

Our staff is specially trained to evaluate and care for wounds at any stage in the healing process. However, wounds that are not responding to conventional treatments within four weeks warrant special attention and are particularly likely to benefit from specialized wound care.

What is Hyperbaric Medicine?

When a non-healing wound does not show improvement with conventional treatment, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) may improve the body¡¯s oxygen-dependent wound healing mechanisms. HBOT involves the
delivery of 100 percent oxygen to patients in a specially designed pressurized chamber.

Breathing pure oxygen while under pressure results in saturation of the blood plasma, thus allowing it to carry from 15 to 20 times the normal amount of oxygen to the body¡¯s tissues

HBOT helps accelerate wound healing by:

• Stimulating formation of new blood vessels
• Enhancing fibroblast growth and collagen production
• Controlling infection
• Reducing edema

Kootenai Clinic Wound Care provides HBOT for the following conditions:

• Diabetic ulcers of the lower extremities
• Delayed radiation injury (soft tissue and bony necrosis)
• Chronic refractory osteomyelitis
• Compromised skin graft and flaps
• Actinomycosi

The above diagnoses are approved by Medicare and most other insurance providers to receive HBOT following a complete patient pre-treatment evaluation and appropriate prescription by a hyperbaric medicine provider.

Our clinic uses the Sechrist Monoplace 3600 Hyperbaric Chamber to deliver HBOT. Our hyperbaric providers evaluate each patient prior to and following each treatment, and our skilled hyperbaric nurse technicians remain in contact with the patient throughout the treatment session via a chamber intercom system. The roomy chamber interior allows patients to rest comfortably in a reclined or flat position and they are able to listen to music, watch television or nap during the treatment session. A hyperbaric provider is on site at all times during the treatment session. Patients are offered a tour of the facility and will receive thorough instructions prior to initiation of HBOT.

Services We Offer

After a comprehensive evaluation, our wound care team will develop an individualized treatment plan designed to promote the healing process. Some of the services and therapies provided by our clinic include:

• Transcutaneous oximetry
• Wound debridement
• Application of advanced dressings and bio-engineered skin substitutes
• Compression therapy
• Negative pressure therapy
• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
• Offloading, including total contact casting
• Ostomy care

Our staff is committed to working closely with referring providers to optimize the patient¡¯s management. In addition, our clinic works in conjunction with º£Íâ³Ô¹Ï Rehabilitation Services and other º£Íâ³Ô¹Ï providers to coordinate referrals for additional therapies, including:

• Lymphedema management
• Seated and wheeled mobility assessments
• Assessment of need for mobility/ functional aids to support independence with activities of daily living
• Whirlpool therapy
• Medical nutrition therapy
• Smoking cessation

Become a Patient

Patients may self-refer or be referred by a provider. Please contact our clinic for more information or to schedule an appointment by calling (208) 625-6944.  A referral form with necessary case documentation is required for provider referrals and can be accessed on our website or by calling our clinic at (208) 625-6944.

Online Patient Portal

Looking for online access? Visit º£Íâ³Ô¹Ï¡¯s MyChart 

Patient Downloads

• Patient Information Form

Insurance

We participate with most major insurance carriers including Medicare. A referral is not required to schedule an appointment. However, please contact your insurance carrier prior to your visit to determine if a preauthorization is required. Our staff will preauthorize your procedure and contact you if any difficulties arise.