R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center

Clinical Services

A Physician's Guide to Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Patients receive pure oxygen -- administered through a head tent -- under increased pressure to all parts of the body.

Conditions Responsive to Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Conditions particularly responsive to its use, and approved by the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society, include:

Acute traumatic ischemias, such as crush injuries and compartment syndromes
Air or gas embolism
Carbon monoxide poisoning and smoke inhalation
Clostridial myonecrosis (gas gangrene)
Decompression sickness
Enhancement of wound healing in selected problem wounds
Exceptional blood loss (anemia)
Necrotizing soft-tissue infections (subcutaneous tissue, muscle, fascia)
Osteomyelitis (refractory)
Radiation tissue damage (osteoradionecrosis)
Skin grafts and flaps (compromised)
Thermal burns
Crush injuries

Most third-party payers approve of using hyperbaric oxygen therapy to treat these conditions and provide coverage for such treatment. Not only is hyperbaric oxygen therapy clinically effective in treating these medical conditions, it is cost effective because it shortens hospitalization.

What Other Medical Conditions May Respond to Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?

Researchers from the Department of Hyperbaric Medicine are currently conducting studies investigating basic mechanisms, as well as potential new applications for hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Thus, your patient will receive evaluation and treatment from skilled clinicians who are also at the forefront of their field.

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For more information or to make a referral, call the Hyperbaric Chamber at 410-328-6152 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. During other times, please call ExpressCare, our physical referral and transport service, at 1-800-373-4111.

This page was last updated on: June 19, 2007.

For all patient information, please call 410-328-9284.