TRAVERSE CITY -- Munson Medical Center has opened a new Advanced Wound Center that will help hundreds of patients stay closer to home for care.

Doctors have introduced Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy at the center. Even though it’s been around for decades, patients in the Traverse City area with chronic wounds had to drive to Grand Rapids, Saginaw, or Alpena for treatment. Now that the chambers are at the center, patients don’t have to leave the area for help.

Dr. Matthew Smith, Medical Director of the Advanced Wound Center says chronic wounds result from a failure to heal naturally. If it doesn’t heal, it could lead to a dangerous infection or even an amputation. The Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy used at the center, gives patients an increase in oxygen at two or three times the atmospheric pressure. That increase in oxygen is carried by the blood to the wound helping the healing process. Dr. Smith says people with diabetes often form wounds on their legs due to the disease, this treatment could help them.

Dr. Smith says, “With just diabetic patients alone, there is from 500 to 1000 patients in the area that could benefit from this technology.”

Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment is a daily treatment and a typical session ranges from 90 to 120 minutes. Doctor Smith says it’s reduced amputations by 50%.