Download PATIENT ORIENTATION TO HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY

PATIENT ORIENTATION TO HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy or HBOT is a medical
treatment that has been proven to be effective in the
treatment of specific surgical and non-surgical medical
problems. HBOT may be used as a primary treatment
method for maladies such as decompression sickness
("the bends") and lung over-expansion injuries
(air embolism). HBOT is also an adjunctive therapy to
standard medical care in the healing of problem wounds,
certain infections, and radiation damaged tissue.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is defined as breathing one
hundred percent oxygen while the entire body is exposed
to an environment greater than atmospheric pressure;
Thus the term hyper (above) - baric (pressure).
HYPERBARIC MEDICINE, INC. offers the safe delivery of
hyperbaric oxygen by way of a single person chamber
called a "monoplace" chamber. This is a large, completely
clear acrylic chamber that allows a person to recline and
rest comfortably while breathing the surrounding one
hundred percent oxygenated atmosphere. Qualified
medical personnel constantly monitor the patient and the
chamber throughout the entire treatment. The patient
may watch television, a movie, or sleep in the safe and
comfortable environment.
The primary physiological benefits from breathing
hyperbaric oxygen include:
· Reduced swelling or edema
· Reduction of air bubbles in the bloodstream
(effective in scuba diving or iatrogenic injuries)
· Stimulation of growth factors that help create new
tissue and vessels.
· Increased infection fighting capabilities of white
blood cells.
While increasing the oxygen level within the body may
provide many physiological benefits, increased levels
of oxygen in the bloodstream may also cause certain
side effects. Oxygen is a drug, and breathing is how it
is delivered to the body. It is important to know that
breathing too much oxygen could result in Oxygen
Toxicity. The treatment protocols used for HBOT are
proven to be safe and effective, and are designed to
reduce the effects of oxygen toxicity. However, oxygen
toxicity is still a potential risk and may manifest in
the following areas:
· Central Nervous System Toxicity - referred to as an
“oxygen seizure". Signs and symptoms include:
Convulsions, Visual changes (tunnel vision), Ears (may
hear ringing or roaring), Nausea, Twitching (facial
muscles), Irritability, and/or Dizziness. The onset of an
oxygen seizure can be avoided if these signs or
symptoms are noticed, quickly identified, and the
chamber's pressure reduced. The risk is also reduced by
interrupting oxygen breathing periods by utilizing short
"air breaks”.
· Pulmonary Oxygen Toxicity - rarely experienced in
conventional HBOT as this is usually the result of
breathing one hundred percent oxygen for a much
longer and repetitive period of time.
· Ocular System Toxicity - cataracts may worsen during
HBOT, and some patient's experience increased
nearsightedness. Increased nearsightedness will reverse
to the pre-treatment state about six to eight weeks
after completing
Hyperbaric Medicine, Inc.
36468 Emerald Coast Parkway, Suite 8102, Destin FL 32541
Phone: 850.650.9500 | Fax: 850.650.2733
913 Mar Walt Drive Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
Phone: 850.243.8229
There is also an increased risk of fire due to the presence of one hundred percent oxygen. While oxygen itself is
non-flammable, it does rapidly support combustion. Items that do not burn under normal atmospheric conditions
(21% oxygen) may easily burn when surrounded by 100% oxygen. Increasing atmospheric pressure also allows
oxygen to achieve a faster, more extreme rate of combustion and intense flammability.
Reducing the risk of fire is everyone's responsibility. Strict adherence to safety policies and procedures is a top
priority. Safety procedures are emphasized each day. To reduce the risk of a potential fire, certain items are
prevented from entering the hyperbaric chamber. If some of these items must be brought to the facility, please
provide means to alleviate and secure them prior to entering the hyperbaric chamber area.
THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE NOT ALLOWED INSIDE THE HYPERBARIC CHAMBER:
· Synthetic materials
(Nylon, Rayon, Polyester,
Wool, Gore-Tex, etc.)
· Oil/Petroleum based products
· Matches
· Cigarettes
· Cigars
· Pipes
· Lighters
· Any and all flammable materials
· Jewelry
· Any and all metallic objects
(Watches, Coins, etc.)
· Contact Lenses
· Make up or cosmetics
(Lip stick, Nail polish, Foundation, Blush,
Eye liner, Eye shadow, Hair spray,
Hair gel, Cologne, Perfume, etc.)
· Paper
· Reading materials Food
· Hand warmers
· Electronics
(Beepers, Cell phones , Audio players,
Video players, Gaming devices, etc.)
· Dentures Hearing Aids
A typical schedule for receiving hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves daily exposure to a prescribed increased
atmospheric pressure. The treatment protocols used in HBOT are based on studies that have shown to be the most
therapeutic and beneficial for the type of problem being treated. The most often utilized treatment protocol is
using a pressure 2.0 - 2.4 times greater than normal atmospheric pressure. At this pressure, one hundred percent
oxygen is breathed for 90 minutes. Pressurizing and depressurizing the chamber's atmosphere will add approximately 10 minutes to that time. An additional 5 - 10 minutes may also be included during the treatment for giving
"air breaks" in order to reduce the risk of oxygen toxicity.
The following is a sequence of events outlining the daily procedures that take place when receiving HBOT:
1) PRE-TREATMENT
a. Patients should arrive at least 30 minutes prior to scheduled treatment time. This allows the hyperbaric physician
to evaluate the patient for any contra indications that may prevent HBOT.
b. The facility will provide one hundred percent cotton clothing to wear inside the chamber. No undergarments,
personal items, or cotton clothing from outside the facility is allowed inside the hyperbaric chamber,
c. Personal restroom needs should be taken care of BEFORE entering the chamber. It may be difficult to
accommodate those needs and maintain privacy while under pressure in the chamber.
d. The change in pressure within the hyperbaric chamber has an effect on the body's air spaces, predominately the
ears. This creates a feeling similar to that of being in an airplane or driving up and down hills or mountains. Prior
to beginning HBOT, the staff will demonstrate equalization techniques so that no pain or discomfort is felt during
the treatment.
e. Bring any current medications.
f. Avoid carbonated beverages and caffeine (may cause dehydration and the need for a restroom).
g. Avoid smoking. The carbon monoxide in tobacco smoke dramatically decreases the amount of oxygen delivered
to the body. If smoking cannot be avoided, please consult the hyperbaric physician.
2) DURING TREATMENT
a. The environmental and physiological effects that occur when pressurizing the chamber's atmosphere are
immediately noticed when increasing the pressure inside the chamber. The chamber is equipped with a communication system which allows the chamber operator to hear and speak with the patient at any time during the
treatment.
b. Being able to affectively "clear your ears" is the most important factor in avoiding discomfort when pressurizing
the chamber. Receiving HBOT should be a pain free experience. If any discomfort or pain is felt at anytime,
immediately notify the chamber operator so that the pressure can be stabilized and the problem corrected. At
the end of the treatment the chamber's pressure is reduced back to normal atmospheric conditions. During this
phase it is important to be alert, breathe normally, and DO NOT "clear your ears". The increased pressure inside
the ears will gently work its way out as the surrounding pressure decreases. No pain or discomfort should be felt.
If so, simply notify the chamber operator.
c. Pressurizing and depressurizing the chamber will cause temperature changes to occur in the chamber's atmo
sphere. Increasing pressure in the chamber will cause the temperature to increase. Likewise, decreasing the
surrounding pressure decreases the temperature. Ice trays may be placed inside the chamber under the patient
gumey to aid in cooling. A one hundred percent cotton blanket is provided for warmth. The result is a relaxed
and comfortable environment.
3) POST-TREATMENT
a. After the treatment, the hyperbaric physician evaluates the patient for any potential problems that may have
occurred during HBOT.
b. Once cleared by the hyperbaric physician the patient may change back into their personal clothing.
c. A clothes hamper is provided for discarding chamber clothing.
d. AVOID SMOKING!
Please fell free to the staff if you have a question, we will help you in any way we can!