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STAY INFORMED: QUICK INSIGHTS INTO THE LATEST IN HBOT

This is a succinct resource for professionals seeking a quick understanding of recent advancements in HBOT. We endeavor to deliver essential highlights and brief insights, making this website a valuable tool for those looking to stay updated on the trends in HBOT.

TRENDS IN HYPERBARIC MEDICINE

Since oxygen inspired under increased atmospheric pressure is a potent drug, hyperbaric oxygen must be administered carefully to avoid toxic effects.

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A patient’s clinical response and other factors often dictate the number of treatments required. Emergency cases, such as carbon monoxide poisoning or cerebral arterial gas embolism, may only require one or two treatments in a hyperbaric chamber. Non-healing problem wounds may call for as many as 20 to 30 treatments. Radiation tissue injury may require 60 or more hyperbaric oxygen treatments for optimal benefit.

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Except for decompression sickness and cerebral arterial gas embolism, treatments in a hyperbaric chamber last about two hours. Treatments are administered once or twice a day. In some cases, treatments are administered every eight hours. Most acute conditions are treated in less than 10 days. Chronic conditions may require 30 or more treatments. In some cases, patients can watch TV/movies within the hyperbaric chamber or listen to the radio during therapy.

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The Food and Drug Administration has approved the following indications for use appropriate to the primary or adjunctive use of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO). The disorders on the list have been scientifically validated and verified through extensive data collection.​

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  • 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.

  • Severe Anemia.

  • Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections.

  • Refractory Osteomyelitis.

  • Delayed Radiation Injury (Soft Tissue and Bony Necrosis).

  • Compromised Skin Grafts & Flaps.

 

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.

  • Acute Thermal Burn Injury.

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