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Patient guide to hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
What is hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a non-invasive medical treatment administered by delivering 100% oxygen at pressures greater than two to three times the normal atmospheric (sea level) pressure to a patient in a chamber. Hyperbaric oxygen acts as a drug, eliciting varying level of response at different dosages. HBOT promotes healing by increasing the oxygen concentration in the body at the cellular level. HBOT is FDA approved and has been proven effective as as adjunctive therapy for specific indications. HBOT has clearly been demonstrated to drastically enhance the body's ability to heal.
Treatment Protocols
Treatment protocols are established by the hyperbaric physician. Oxygen, when breathed under increased atmospheric pressure, converts into a potent medical grade drug. Besides the beneficial effects that ave been discussed, hyperbaric oxygen can produce noticeable toxic effects if administered indiscriminately. Safe, time/dose limits have been established for hyperbaric oxygen exposure and these limitations form the basis for today's treatment protocols.
With the exception of decompression sickness and cerebral arterial gas embolism, treatment lasts approximately two hours. Treatments are given daily, unless otherwise indicated. The total number of treatments ordered depends on the diagnosis and the severity of each individual case. For some acute cases, the numer of treatments is approximately ten days, while more chronic cases may require forty or more treatments.
What are the benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
There are many benefits associated with intermittent exposure to doses of hyperbaric oxygen. These include bactericidal and bacteriostatic effects, anti-inflammatory factors, acceleration of revascularization and reduction of reperfusion injuries. When these factors are combined with integrated wound care management, there is an overall acceleration in healing.
HBOT Allows the Following:
An increase in the distance which oxygen diffuses from functional capillaries into hypoperfused wounds. This results in angiogenesis, which enables healing in bone grafts, shin grafts, selected problem wounds, compromised grafts and radiation induced injury inhibits microbial growth, deactivates bacterial toxins and enhances white blood cell function in necrotizing infections in both osteomyelitis and soft tissue infections that have not responded to conventional therapies. Vasoconstruction and subsequent decrease in tissue edema results from crush injury and compartment syndrome. At the same time, the high oygen content in the hemoglobin overcomes the effects of hypoxia and peripheral ischemia.
Routine Covered Indications:
- Non-healing diabetic ulcers
- Chronic Refractory Osteomyelitis
- Compromised/Failing Skin Graft/Flap
- Vascular Insufficiency
- Arterial Insufficiency
- Preparation of Irradiated or Compromised Tissue
- Osteoradionecrosis
- Soft Tissue Radionecrosis
- Radiation Cystitis/Proctitis/Vaginitis
- Refractory Ulcers
- Necrotizing Fasciitis
- Cruss Injury/Compartment Syndrome
Wound Care Management
An integral part of total wound care management may include debridement and/or dressing changes. The attending physician may at the time of referral, request these services.
Medicare Coverage
In addition, Medicare coverage determinations will reimburse in the U.S. for the following conditions:
- Patient has type I or type II diabetes and has a lower extremity wound that is due to diabetes
- Patient has a wound classified as Wagner grade III or higher; and
- Patient has failed an adequate course of standard wound therapy
You can call Austin Foot and Ankle Specialists at (512) 328-8900, or come visit our office, conveniently located at:
5000 Bee Cave Road
Suite 202
Austin, TX 78746.
5000 Bee Cave Road
Suite 202
Austin, TX 78746.