The Hyperbaric Center: Comprehensive Wound Care

The Hyperbaric Center at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center is one of three facilities in Oregon -- and the only one in Lane County -- accredited by the Undersea & Hyperbaric Medical Society. UHMS national accreditation demonstrates our acheivement of the highest level of quality and safety for patient care. Hyperbaric Safety Director Robert Barnes, MD, is the region's only physician board-certified in both Infectious Diseases and Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine. And Belinda Hinkle, Certified Hyperbaric Registered Nurse, completes the team. Together, the Hyperbaric Center and the Wound & Ostomy Center at Sacred Heart provide comprehensive wound care.

Clinical Benefits of HBO2

Hyperoxygenation. HBO2 increases oxygen in the plasma 10 to 15 fold, delivering more oxygen to damaged tissue to promote healing.

Hyperoxia-enhanced antimicrobial activity. HBO2 can inhibit or inactivate certain toxins, enhance phagocytosis and white cell oxidative killing, and increase the activity of some antimicrobials.

Neovascularization. HBO2 enhances fibroblast division, stem cell proliferation, and formation of collagen and capillary angiogenesis in late radiation damaged tissue, refractory osteomyselitis and chronic ulcers.

Hyper-induced vasoconstriction. HBO2 helps manage compartment syndrome and other acute ischemia in injured extremities. It also reduces interstitial edema in grafted tissue and decreases fluid resuscitation requirements in burn wound management.

Attenuation of reperfusion injury. HBO2 has been shown to reduce the deleterious effect of leukocytes as blood flow is restored to damaged tissue.

How it Works

The Hyperbaric Center houses Sechrist Monoplace 4100 Hyperbaric Chambers, the largest hyperbaric monoplace chamber on the market. The chamber capabilities include multiple intravenous transfusion lines, electrical monitoring including EKG, transcutaneous oxygen monitoring and a patient air-break system.

Hyperbaric Center Staff

Kialing P. Perez, MD
Medical Director
Board-certified, Infectious Diseases
Advanced Training in Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Certified Diving Medical Officer of the Diving Medical Advisory Committee

Jason Cronin, MD
Hyperbaric Attending Physician​
Board-Certified, Infectious Diseases

Brenda Ormesher, MD
Hyperbaric Safety Director
Hyperbaric Attending Physician
Board-certified, Infectious Diseases

Robert K. Pelz, MD, PhD
Board-certified, Infectious Diseases, Advanced Training in Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Referring a Patient

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is offered as a referral and consultation service only. A consultation appointment will be made for the patient, once appropriate case documentation has been received. The referring/primary care physician will remain responsible for the patient's general medical management and will be updated from a hyperbaric perspective by the hyperbaric oxygen therapy team. Out-of-town patients may be referred to an appropriate local physician at the discretion of the referring physician.