Patient Education: Hyperbaric Therapy (HBO)

What is Hyperbaric Oxygen What should I wear? Therapy? How does it work? We put safety first. We will provide HBO is used to treat some medical you with clothing to wear during your conditions. The treatment takes place in treatment. Please do not wear any of the a chamber that you can see out of. You following items when you come to the lay on a stretcher inside the chamber. center for HBO therapy: You can watch TV. You can watch a movie. The chamber is pressurized. You breathe • Makeup one hundred percent oxygen. Your blood • Wigs or hair pieces carries the extra oxygen. It is taken to • Nail polish that has been on less than your injured area. 24 hours. You can paint your nails at least 24 hours before an How do I find out HBO treatment. if HBO is for me? • Loose fitting dentures If you have a wound that hasn’t healed • Contact lenses in four weeks, ask your doctor. He will • Deodorants evaluate your wound. He will decide if HBO is for you. • Skin lotions • Perfume cologne or aftershave Can someone stay with me • Jewelry, including watches during HBO? and earrings To protect the privacy of our patients, • Hair spray or oils family members may not remain with you during your treatment. A waiting room is • You cannot have anything in your mouth such as: gum, loose dentures, provided for their comfort. A trained staff or candy during treatment. member is always in the room during treatment. You can communicate with Let the staff know if you feel ill. Let them at any time the staff know if you are congested. How many treatments What should I tell my doctor will I need? before I begin HBO? Treatment is different for each patient. Tell your doctor if you have: It depends on the patient’s condition • An internal battery operated medical and response to therapy. Most patients device such as a pacemaker or pain pump. The staff will make sure your receive between 30 and 40 treatments. device can be used in the chamber. • If you have an external battery How long does a treatment last? operated medical device, it cannot go Treatment will last about 2 hours. You into the chamber. Your HBO physician will contact your doctor for instructions will receive one treatment a day, Monday on how to deal with this device. through Friday. Your doctor will tell you if • Inform your HBO doctor if you have you need more than one treatment a day. EVER had chemotherapy.

What should I expect before What if I have diabetes? treatment? Your doctor will discuss blood sugar The HBO technician will take your vital control with you. The HBO technician signs and listen to your lungs. The will check your blood sugar before and inside of your ears will be examined. after treatment. Take your medicine as You will be asked about your pain. If you prescribed. Eat before HBO. have diabetes, your blood sugar will be checked. Safety checks will be done What if you feel claustrophobic? before each treatment. When you are in the chamber you can see out in all directions. If you Is HBO painful? are anxious, the doctor can prescribe HBO is not painful. At the beginning of medicine to help you relax. your treatment you may feel in your ears. Like when you fly in a plane Is HBO therapy covered or drive up into the mountains. You may by my insurance? have to clear your ears. The HBO staff Medicare has approved coverage for will instruct you on methods for clearing HBO therapy for many types of chronic your ears: nonhealing wounds. Most private insurance companies follow medicare rules. We will • Swallow review your insurance plan with you before • Yawn your therapy starts to make sure you know • Open and close your mouth what your costs will be.

References: Patient Ed-HBOHndt 5/16 v001 Kindwall, E. P. & Whelan, H. T. (2004) practice. (2nd ed.) Flagstaff: Best Publishing. © 2016 Healogics, Inc. All Rights Reserved Novell, H., & Larson-Lohr, V. (2002). Hyperbaric . Flagstaff: Best Publishing