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HCMC's Hyperbaric Medicine Department has been awarded Hyperbaric Facility Accreditation from the Undersea Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS), becoming one of only 60 facilities nationwide to receive full accreditation. The UHMS accreditation program provides for formal quality assurance of a facility's equipment, education and training of staff, and commitment to providing exceptional patient care and safety. It also provides a foundation for the increasing acceptance and credibility of hyperbaric medicine as a growing medical speciality. New Monoplace Hyperbaric Chamber is opened at HCMC
The new monoplace chamber is designed to accommodate one person at a time, offering greater flexibility for emergency treatment. It joins the existing multi-place chamber at HCMC, which can accommodate several patients during one treatment. The multi-place chamber will continue to offer ongoing scheduled treatment sessions to patients. Click here for a printable version of the Hyperbaric Brochure for Medical Providers
surgical procedures, and decompression sickness. It is also an important adjunct for specific wound healing conditions. HCMC’s commitment to Hyperbaric Medicine began in 1964 when the first multi-place hyperbaric chamber opened for patient care and research. Today the existing facility consists of three multiplace treatment chambers, the largest of which can simultaneously accommodate five stretcher patients along with specially trained physicians and nurses. All chambers are operated and maintained by certified hyperbaric technicians. Indications for Hyperbaric Oxygen Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a specialized medical treatment in which the patient breathes 100 per cent oxygen while inside a chamber at increased atmospheric pressure. HBO is used for specific medical conditions. HBO has long been recognized as vital in the resolution of critical medical conditions such as gas gangrene, carbon monoxide poisoning, air embolism due to diving, trauma, or surgical procedures, and decompression sickness. It is also an important adjunct for specific wound healing conditions. The Hyperbaric Oxygen Committee of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) lists the following indications: approved uses for Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy:
The HCMC Hyperbaric Medicine Unit will generally treat patients with these diagnoses. Other cases may be considered on an individual basis or as part of an established research protocol. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is administered on an outpatient or inpatient basis depending upon the patient's need. Inpatients may be hospitalized at HCMC or, if circumstances warrant, may be transported to HCMC for hyperbaric treatment only. All emergency transfers are seen initially in the HCMC Emergency Department. All non-emergency patients are seen in consultation by a hyperbaric medicine physician only through referral by their attending physician or surgeon. Since hyperbaric treatment is added but never replaces other required treatment, the patient must remain under the primary care of the attending physician or surgeon. The referring physician may elect to transfer primary care to an HFA physician of his or her own specialty. Out of town consultations are referred to the appropriate HFA specialist for primary care. Routine consultation
by a hyperbaric physician can be arranged during business hours by calling
the hyperbaric medicine unit at (612) 873-7420. Emergency consultation
by a hyperbaric medicine physician can be arranged 24 hours a day seven
days a week by calling the HCMC Emergency Department at (612) 873-3131
or 1-800-424-4262. For more information: Jan Deroche
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