Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

What is hyperbaric oxygen therapy?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a treatment that uses pure oxygen at an increased air pressure (pressurized). Pressurized means that the pure oxygen is packed into a smaller space compared to normal room air pressure.

Pure oxygen fills a room or tube called a chamber where you receive HBOT. The added pressure helps the pure oxygen enter damaged tissues.

HBOT is used to treat:

• Wounds or infections that are taking a long time to heal
• Burns including radiation injuries
• Carbon monoxide poisoning
• Gas bubbles in your blood stream (air embolism)
• Decompression sickness (the bends) that scuba divers can get

You may have HBOT after skin graft surgery to help the newly grafted areas heal. Oxygen helps to grow new blood vessels and new tissue for healing. HBOT helps healing by getting more oxygen to the wound.

HBOT is usually just one part of your healthcare provider’s plan for treating your wound, infection, or burn.

How is HBO done?

You will be in a pressurized room or tube while you receive HBOT. You may need just one treatment or you may need a series of treatments.

Before the procedure:

• Your healthcare provider will ask you to sign a consent form for HBOT. The consent form will state the reason you are having the treatment, what happens during the treatment, and what you may expect after the treatment.
• There is risk with every treatment or procedure. Talk to your healthcare provider for complete information about whether any of these risks apply to you:
  • Mild sinus, ear, or joint pain
  • Blood clots or air bubbles in the blood stream
  • Inability to move your body (paralysis)
  • Seizures
• Tell your healthcare provider if you have any food, medicine, or other allergies such as latex.
• Tell your provider if you are or think you may be pregnant.
• Tell your healthcare provider if you are taking any medicines, including nonprescription drugs, herbal remedies, or recreational or illegal drugs.
• You may be asked to wear a hospital gown that is 100% cotton to reduce the risk of sparks from friction. Sparks can create a fire risk in pure oxygen.
• You may be asked to remove your jewelry.
• You will lie on a table to enter the room or tube.

During the procedure:

HBOT is not painful, but your ears may pop during the therapy or after you leave the room or tube.

• You can rest, read a book, listen to music, or watch a movie during the treatment.
• You can talk to the nurses or HBOT technicians using an intercom system.

After the procedure:

• You may feel tired or lightheaded for a short time after the treatment.
• The nurses or the HBOT technicians will check you often.
• Your provider may recommend other types of therapy to help relieve pain, other symptoms, or side effects of treatment.

What can I do to help?

Tell your healthcare team if you have new or worsening:

• Redness, swelling, pain, warmth, or drainage from your burn or wound
• Fever, chills, or muscle aches
• Pain

How long will I be in the hospital?

How long you stay in the hospital depends on many things, such as your general health, why you are in the hospital, the treatment you need, and how well you recover. Talk with your provider about how long your stay may be.