Upon referral by your primary care or other physician, the Center will provide you with a diagnostic examination resulting in an individualized treatment plan. The treatment plan may consist of conventional wound treatment strategies, hyperbaric oxygen therapy or both. Your treatment plan and progress will be communicated to your referring physician.

HBO2 therapy may play a significant role in promoting healing as part of your wound care treatment plan that may also include surgery, antibiotic therapy, physical rehabilitation and more.

History of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy was once used primarily to treat undersea divers with decompression sickness (also known as the “bends”). Today, HBO2 therapy has won praise as a highly effective medical treatment, by many medical specialties including orthopedic surgery, surgery, oncology, plastic surgery, otolaryngology (Ear, Nose and Throat), oral-maxillofacial surgery, wound care, infectious disease and podiatry.

Through clinical and academic work, additional medical applications for HBO2 therapy are continually being developed. Over the past decade HBO2 therapy has been effective in increasing the recovery time of soft tissue and bones affected by radiation treatment and decreasing the risk of complications before and after certain surgeries.

How does Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Work?

Cells within our body rely on oxygen to remain healthy and function normally. Oxygen provides vital nutrients and energy to those cells without which our cells would be disabled. When our body’s cells are disabled, our tissue is malnourished which delays or prevents the healing process.

Injury, poisoning or disease can disrupt oxygen delivery to our cells, depriving bones and soft tissue of their required oxygen resulting in compromised health, risk of long-term medical complications, or even death. The normal air and pressure that we live in is not enough to deliver oxygen to the deprived cells.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy delivers 100 percent oxygen under pressure to cells. During HBO2 therapy, patients breathe pure oxygen while in a hyperbaric chamber in which the atmospheric pressure is increased up to three times normal pressure.

The combination of increased pressure and high concentrations of oxygen results in a great amount of oxygen being dissolved into the cells (10 – 15 times the normal amount). This dissolved oxygen penetrates areas of the body that, under normal conditions, cannot be penetrated with oxygen. This revitalizes cells and tissues. The increased oxygen levels in the cells and tissue stimulate the healing process, fights infection, decreases swelling and aids in the growth of new blood vessels. These benefits cannot be achieved by breathing normal amounts of oxygen under normal atmospheric pressure.

What Conditions Can be improved by Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?

• Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
• Decompression Illness
• Gas Embolism
• Gas Gangrene
• Acute Traumatic Peripheral Ischemia
• Crush Injuries
• Necrotizing Infections
• Acute Peripheral Arterial Insufficiency
• Compromised Skin Grafts
• Chronic Refractory Osteomyelitis
• Osteoradionecrosis
• Soft Tissue Radionecrosis
• Cyanide Poisoning
• Actinomycosis
• Diabetic Wounds of Lower Extremities

What is the hyperbaric chamber experience?

There are three stages of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: compression; treatment; and decompression. All stages are painless. A Certified Hyperbaric Technologist (CHT) will monitor the process under the supervision of a physician. A special intercom system allows for constant communication. In addition, the chamber is made from a clear acrylic material allowing you full view of your surroundings.

During the compression stage, you may notice pressure in their ears similar to the sensation you may feel when changing altitude in an airplane, driving in the mountains or riding an elevator in a tall building. The CHT will coach you on the many ways to relieve the pressure in the ears, should this occur.

As your eardrums respond to the changing pressure, you may hear popping or crackling noises. This is normal. However, if at any time during the treatment you feel ear pain, alert the CHT and pressurization will stop until you are able to relieve ear pressure.
The treatment stage begins following pressurization. During this time you may rest, listen to music, watch television or sleep. The length of treatment may vary depending upon the condition that is being treated. Most treatments last approximately 90 minutes but allow three hours for your visit.

Once the treatment is accomplished, decompression begins. The CHT will slowly reduce the chamber pressure until normal pressure is achieved. The chamber will become cooler during this stage and you may notice popping or crackling in your ears.

Most wounds require an average of 30 to 40 HBO2 therapy treatments. The hyperbaric physician along with your personal physician will determine the best treatment schedule for you and your specific condition. A minimum of five days of HBO2 therapy per week is necessary for full benefit.

Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Covered by My Insurance?

In most cases Medicare and other health insurance payors cover all or part of the cost for HBO2 therapy, depending upon your specific insurance plan benefits, co-pay and deductible. Our staff will help you determine what your specific health insurance benefits are related to HBO2 Therapy.

North Vista Hospital
1409 East Lake Mead Blvd
North Las Vegas, NV 89030
(702) 649-7711

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