Wound Care Renamed in Honor of Paul Bangasser

REDLANDS, CA - The wound care center at Redlands Community Hospital is like a second home to Dr. Ronald Bangasser, the center's medical director. Recently, it came a step closer to feeling even more like home to him.

Dr. Ronald Bangasser, Dr. Susan Bangasser and Mrs. Florence Bangasser unveil the plaque dedicating the hospital's wound care center in memory of Paul F. Bangasser.

Dr. Ronald Bangasser and assistant Lori Ann Milner check Dr. William Kintner after he completed a two-hour treatment in the hyperbaric chamber.

Bangasser family with the wound care staff.

"I am so grateful to Dr. Bangasser and all of the wound care staff for the exceptional care they have given me," expressed Dr. William Kintner of Redlands, a patient who has received 200 treatments in the hyperbaric chambers (high-pressure oxygen) over the past two years. "They saved my foot from amputation and I am eternally grateful."

The hospital was pleased to receive the donation from the Bangasser family. "Dr. Bangasser is truly a patient advocate. He makes sure patient care is front and center," stated RCH President Jim Holmes. "He has done an outstanding job of developing his staff and passing the same passion for patient care on to them."

At the ceremony, Dr. Bangasser recalled when wound care services started at the hospital in 1982. A portable oxygen chamber was taken by elevator up to a patient's room. Soon a stationary hyperbaric chamber was purchased and a separate room was dedicated to wound care treatment. Dr. Bangasser, who was a family practice physician in Yucaipa at the time, was especially interested in hyperbaric chambers because of his involvement in deep sea oxygen treatment as a Navy doctor. Gradually, the doctors realized there were so many other types of wounds that could be treated with special ointments and cleansing methods.

Today, the hospital's center has four hyperbaric chambers and several treatment beds. "We are the second busiest wound care center in southern California, second only to Long Beach Memorial Hospital," stated Dr. Bangasser. "More than 3,000 treatments are performed annually in the hyperbaric chambers, which involves a series of 2-hour periods in the chamber," explained Dr. Bangasser. "Another 4,000 treatments are performed on patients with wounds that can be treated in our patient clinic. The current explosion of diabetes cases in our society has created an increased demand for services at the wound care center. Patient treatments range from two months to six months, with varying frequency of visits during that time period. The hospital is truly supportive of the center and makes it possible for us to care for everyone who comes to us for help."

Each hyperbaric chamber unit costs approximately $120,000, plus another $40,000 for plumbing and installation. The hyperbaric chambers force 100% pure oxygen into the chamber for two hours, while the patient lies inside watching movies or television. The increased oxygen under pressure increases circulation and thus promotes faster healing.

"The cost to operate the center is very expensive," stated Jim Holmes. "But the wound care center fits in with the hospital's mission of providing care to anyone in need. If someone in our community is desperate for care, we find a way to cover the costs, whether it be charity or government programs or donations from the community. Because of our services in surgery, cardiology and elsewhere, we are able to offer wound care, emergency care, and other services for which we receive limited funding."

Donations to the wound care program or other departments can be directed to the Redlands Community Hospital Foundation, 350 Terracina Blvd., Redlands, CA 92374 or call the Foundation at (909) 335-5540.

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