Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, or HBO as it is often called, is a method by which a patient breathes pure oxygen at above atmospheric pressure. This increases the amount of oxygen carried in the blood and the oxygen level in the body's tissues by 10 to 15 times. HBO therapy enhances the normal protective responses of the body to infection by destroying the infecting bacteria or decreasing the rate at which they multiply. It also helps the healing process.
The Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Unit is available to provide treatments for patients with specific disorders. The unit is open daily for patient care and is also available for emergency referrals seven days a week, 24 hours a day.
Conditions that may indicate the need for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy are:
- Acute carbon monoxide poisoning
- Acute cyanide poisoning
- Decompression sickness
- Acute gas embolism
- Gangrene
- Acute traumatic peripheral ischemia. To be used along with accepted standard therapeutic measures, when loss of function, limb or life is threatened.
- Crush injuries and suturing of severed limbs
- Meleney ulcers
- Acute peripheral arterial insufficiencies
- Preparation and preservation of comprised skin grafts and flaps
- Chronic refractory osteomyelitis
- Osteoradionecrosis
- Soft tissue radionecrosis
- Actinomycosis only when refractory to conventional surgery and antibiotic therapy
For more information or with questions, please contact: (209) 467-6443.
