Hyperbaric Oxygen Producing Environment

Consul General of the USA in Curacao visiting with HOPE in Aruba

Aruba like many countries has a large problem with patients suffering from chronic wounds and leading to many amputations. For many years we have professionals dealing with these wounds but there are some wounds that are very hard to treat or even that the battle is lost leading to none healing wounds and amputation.

Hope clinic has under the supervision of doctor Ike Posner is the state of the art in technologies to help solve some of these difficult cases, reducing suffering and containing cost. The latest among possibilities to treat these patients is hyperbaric medicine. Misses Valerie Belon consul general of the USA, visited HOPE clinic to learn about these possibilities we have in Aruba. Although the chamber is mostly known to treat divers, a surprise to her was that most of the patients treated with hyperbaric Oxygen are chronic wound patients. Recently we helped a couple who had carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide poisoning is a rare event in Aruba.

Ulrich Tromp director and head of safety gave the consul a tour and explanation. He also showed off some of the high-tech equipment to diagnose and give prognosis in patients with diabetic feet. He explained about transcutaneous oxygen monitoring or TCOM and Vasera. Today no patient should suffer from chronic wounds or risk amputation without considering hyperbaric medicine. The sooner the patient consults the better are the possibilities. Like the name implies there is hope for the patients at HOPE clinic.