What is HBOT?
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)
is a clinical treatment
where the patient breathes
100% oxygen intermittently
while enclosed in a
hyperbaric oxygen chamber at
a pressure greater than one
atmosphere. HBOT has been
proven effective for many
medical conditions, and as a
result the Undersea and
Hyperbaric Medicine Society,
one of the premier research
institutes, has approved it
to treat the following
indications:
- Air or Gas Embolism
- Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Complicated by Cyanide Poisoning
- Clostridal Myositis and Myonecrosis (Gas Gangrene)
- Crush Injury, Compartment Syndrome, and other Acute Traumatic Ischemias
- Decompression Sickness
- Enhancement of Healing in Selected Problem Wounds
- Exceptional Blood Loss (Anemia)
- Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections
- Refractory Osteomyelitis
- Delayed Radiation Injury (Soft Tissue and Bony Necrosis)
- Compromised Skin Grafts & Flaps
- Thermal Burns
- Intracranial Abscess
In addition, Medicare coverage determinations will reimburse in the U.S. for the following conditions:
- Patient has type I or type II diabetes and has a lower extremity wound that is due to diabetes;
- Patient has a wound classified as Wagner grade III or higher; and
- Patient has failed an adequate course of standard wound therapy.
How HBO Works:
Hyperbaric medicine is effective for the above indications and many more because it enables five basic actions: hyper oxygenation of the body, the mechanical effects of increased pressure, the mass action of gasses, and vasoconstriction and bacteriostasis.
Monoplace chambers are National Fire Protection Association (N.F.P.A) Class B devices that can be pressurized up to 3 ATA with 100% oxygen. Monoplace, or single person, chambers are the most widely used for HBOT.
Trends in Hyperbaric Medicine:
Several trends are driving the growth of hyperbaric medicine. First are the advancements in the chambers themselves that have made HBOT a safe procedure. The second is the increase in diabetes and individuals who develop non-healing wounds.
Wound care has seen tremendous advances and hyperbarics is a large part in the successful treatment of a number of wound conditions. In fact, it is estimated that approximately 20% of a hospital’s wound patients are candidates for HBOT. Physicians around the world trust Sechrist chambers to perform safely and reliably, which helps them treat their patients with confidence.
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