For the SNF resident, these chambers can be used to treat gas gangrene, necrotizing fasciitis, compromised skin grafts and flaps, soft tissue radiation necrosis, crush injuries with acute ischemia of tissues and chronic refractory osteomyelitis. This outpatient study is most frequently used to identify and measure occlusive arterial disease. The studies are also used to identify patients with deep vein thrombosis that can threaten the life of a resident if a clot becomes dislodged. This clot, which can travel and cause damage to vital organs, is frequently the source of pulmonary embolism. For patients with cardiovascular disease the study is most frequently conducted in a vascular lab.
Many elderly patients are already at risk for cardiovascular disease.
Being a resident in a SNF may increase this risk as the patients are at times bedridden or just beginning therapy after an acute episode or surgery. Other types of procedures may include Thyroid uptake scans, Bone marrow imaging, gastroesophageal reflux study, venous thrombosis study, myocardial perfusion imaging, pulmonary perfusion imaging, cerebral blood flow studies and kidney function studies. Nuclear medicine may also include radiopharmaceutical therapy.