| Bonnie Peebles 2005-11-11, 6:47 pm |
| I know I cannot write this letter as objectively as I should.
I treat patients at a wound healing center and HBO is one of our
modalities of tx. We have many options to try on patients with
chronic or acute wounds and some work, some don't.
We employ a wound vac which is a negative pressure device. It works
excellent on a lot of patients but does nothing on some.
My problem with HBO is that I have yet to see it work at all.
Why do we continue to use it? The "supervising" MD (and I use that
term very loosely) gets paid $2000 per week per patient to put them in
the "tank." They never have to see the patient during that time. We
have yet to d/c a patient from HBO because they are not making
progress. We always put them in the take the full number of approved
visits. Usually 3 pts per day, netting the MD $6k/wk and they never
leave there office.
Now the MD should get money to be on call no doubt, but in the event
of an emergency, I am the one the MD looks to to solve the problem or
handle the emergency.
I wouldn't feel so bad it I thougth HBO worked, but I think it is a
bunch of BS. But with so much money being paid to do it, everyone is
going to say it is the greatest thing there is.
Is anyone doing HBO for wound Tx ( Diabetic ulcers of the lower
extremity, Failing Flap/Graph, or Radionecrosis) and seeing impressive
results? I'd appreciate some feedback.
BP
|