Hyperbaric Facility Upgrading Benefits Patients And Saves Money

By Janine Hughes


It is sometimes therapeutically necessary to breathe oxygen that has been pressurized from one and one-half to three times its state under normal atmospheric conditions. First used as a method of preventing deep-water divers from experiencing the agony of decompression sickness, commonly called the bends, this treatment has become common for people who need specific types of medical attention. Hyperbaric facility upgrading improves existing hospital systems for both patients and staff.

Patients enter and remains inside a type of chamber during compression. Normal air is composed of 21% oxygen, and there are somewhat limited benefits to simply breathing a pure mixture. The most medically significant results can be produced by providing a pure form of oxygen that is also under pressure, which measurably increases the amount of that gas present in the bloodstream.

This is important for a number of reasons. Blood vessels form and grow more rapidly, there is less deterioration of damaged tissue, stubborn wounds common in diabetics begin to heal, and the toxicity of certain poisons is reduced. Increasing the amount of oxygen within all body tissues decreases the chances of developing an obstruction due to gas bubbles, and speeds the recovery process. Treatments can be as few as two, or may be necessary daily.

The injuries and illnesses helped by this type of therapy not only include those related to decompression, but also involve stubborn sores common to diabetic people, injuries sustained by crushing, gangrene that threatens to spread, and the damage caused by cancer radiation treatments. People who have suffered extensive burns and grafting heal more rapidly, and carbon monoxide poisoning victims also benefit.

Facilities exist today primarily in hospitals, and consist of chambers that hold only one individual to those designed to accommodate up to twelve or more. A monoplace chamber has room for a single patient, may be tube shaped, and usually constructed of plastic. Patients recline inside, and a session may last up to two hours or more. The most common side effect is ear-popping due to pressure changes.

The duration and amount of pressure depends primarily on the diagnosis, and positive patient response to previous oxygen therapy. Some may need to spend time in a chamber on a daily basis, while others may need fewer treatments. In most cases the procedure is considered extremely safe, but may cause problems for patients who have upper respiratory infections or other types of counter-indications.

Facilities inspections are conducted regularly to review and analyze daily operations. They are often completed by experienced medical consultants. The equipment is analyzed during real-time use, and associated staff are ask to present any relevant issues or problems they have previously encountered. Operation and maintenance logs provide a record of daily use, and help indicate when replacement is needed.

Upgrading to state-of-the-art equipment benefits both patients and staff. Not only does an improved facility provide better care, but is important for hospital administrators controlling the financial bottom line. Consultants can provide solid statistics that reveal cost savings compared to the amount needed to invest in improvements. Installation of improved equipment is coordinated to prevent any interruption in patient scheduling.




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