Hyperbaric Facility Upgrading Benefits Both Administrators And Patients

By Janine Hughes


Some types of injuries or disease make it necessary to breathe a pure form of oxygen that is under additional atmospheric pressure. The process first came into use to help prevent deep-sea divers from experiencing painful decompression sickness due to rapid ascent, and today is in widespread use as a proven way to encourage more rapid healing of injuries and diseases. Hyperbaric facility upgrading provides advantages both for staff and patients.

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.

For many patients, the outcome is faster and more extensive blood vessel formation, more consistent control of infection, reduced toxicity of some poisons, faster healing of resistant open wounds, and reduced tissue deterioration. Increasing the amount of oxygen delivered throughout the body decreases the probability of obstructions caused by gas bubbles, and encourages thorough healing. Treatments may be as few as two, or may take place daily.

The diseases and injuries that can benefit not only include decompression sickness, but today encompass infections of wounds sustained by diabetics, people who are crushed in accidents, those enduring life-threatening cases of gangrene, and patients with radiation damage from cancer treatments. Those suffering burns may benefit from quicker healing of skin grafts, and victims of carbon monoxide poisoning recover faster.

This type of facility is normally located within a hospital, and includes chambers ranging from individual sizes to those that can hold a dozen people. Monoplace facilities accommodate one person, are made of plastic, and are often shaped like tubes. An individual reclines inside while atop a table, and remains for two or more hours. Common side effects include ear-popping caused by air 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.

Inspections takes place on a regular basis in order to review current operations. Often performed by medical consultants, the equipment itself is analyzed during operation, and staff members are asked to present existing issues or problems. Logs of necessary maintenance and operation often define where those improvements are necessary, and whether equipment needs replacing.

Both staff and patients will appreciate the benefits of upgrading to the latest types of equipment. An updated facility not only provides the latest care, but can also be an important factor for administrators responsible for controlling the financial bottom line. Consultants can detail the relationship between investing in improvements and the resulting cost advantages. Ideally, installation presents few interruptions in scheduled use.




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