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Southwest Florida
Regional Medical Center
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
3945 Fowler Street
Fort Myers, Fl 33901
Hyperbaric Physicians:
Robert Casola, DO & John A. Bishop, MD
Telephone (239) 939-8345
Fax (239) 939-8202
What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) is used to treat a wide variety
of illness that respond to the administration of 100% oxygen in
a controlled, pressurized chamber. Patients breathe 100% oxygen
under pressure allowing the oxygen to be dissolved into the
plasma in amounts greater than can be achieved normally.
How does Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Work?
Hyperbaric oxygen is delivered to the patient
in a pressurized chamber, which greatly increases the amount of
dissolved oxygen in the blood stream. The blood stream then
delivers the oxygen to the parts of the body in need thus
stimulating wound healing.
Once the patients' body has received enough hyperbaric oxygen
therapy they may realize the following benefits:
- Increased tissue oxygenation
- Decreased edema or swelling
- Improved wound healing
- Increased number of blood vessels in wounded
areas
- Enhanced infection control
- Preservation of compromised tissues
- Elimination of toxic substances and or
reduction of damaging effects of toxic substances (i.e. carbon
monoxide)
What is Hyperbaric Therapy being used for
Today?
HBO2 is approved
for use in the following conditions:
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- Air Embolism
- Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
- Compartment Syndrome
- Chronic Refractory Osteomyelitis
- Crush Injuries with Acute Traumatic
Ischemia
- Acute Cyanide Poisoning
- Decompression Sickness
- Gas Gangrene
- Acute Hydrogen Sulfide Poisoning
- Necrotizing Faciitis
- Preservation of Compromises Skin Flaps
and Grafts
- Radiation Cystitis, Radiation Proctitis
- Osteo-Radiation Necrosis
- Selected, Anaerobic Infections &
Refractory Problem Wounds
- Soft Tissue Radiation Injury
- Selected Non-healing Diabetic Wounds
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What is the Chamber Like?
Patients sit in a large steel chamber, ours
measures 25 feet in length and has an internal diameter of 6
feet. The chamber is so large that it can comfortably seat 12
people at a time allowing patients to sit up right or recline
during the treatment. Communication is maintained visually
through windows and video cameras. Intercoms and telephones
allow for verbal communications between the outside tenders and
the persons inside the chamber. Medical personnel always
accompany patients during HBO2 treatments.
Once patients are comfortable
seated in the chamber the actual treatment begins by circulating
compressed air inside the chamber. When the pressurization begins
ones ears may begin to feel "full" much like they do when flying or
traveling in the mountains. Patients are instructed how to relieve
the pressure in their ears prior to beginning the treatment and
again during the treatment. Patients will be required to clear their
ears several times during the first 10 - 15 minutes of each
treatment until the proper treatment pressure is reached. While the
pressure is being increased the patient may notice that the
temperature in the chamber may become a little warm however this
will pass as soon as the final pressure is attained.
As soon as the proper pressure is reached the fullness in the ears
will stop and the oxygen will be applied. Once the oxygen is applied
one can sleep, listen to music, watch a movie on closed circuit
television, read, or just simply relax. In addition the patient will
receive a number of "air breaks" where the oxygen supply is
exchanged for regular air during the treatment. When the treatment
is over the chamber will be decompressed. During decompression the
temperature will cool off a little and the patients ears will make a
popping or cracking sound as the ears clear automatically.
Will I Feel Different Under
Pressure?
The simple answer is No. Our bodies are
made almost entirely of water and water does not compress therefore
we do not feel any difference under pressure with the exception of
the fullness in our ears in the beginning of each treatment. In
addition, we live under 1 atmosphere of pressure every day of our
lives (unless of course you're an astronaut) and we only use 2.4
atmospheres of pressure during a hyperbaric treatment.
How Do I Clear My Ears?
There are several ways to clear
your ears once the pressure in the chamber begins to be increased.
The simplest way is to swallow a little water or swallow while
holding your nose. Another way to clear or "pop" your ears is to
take a deep breath, close your mouth, pinch your nose and then try
to blow the air out through your pinched nose. This may sound a
little complicated, however with a little practice with the staff it
is really easy. What if I am unable to clear my ears no matter what
I try? In some cases people cannot clear their ears. When this
happens, the patient may elect to have pressure equalization tubes
placed in their ears. These are the same kind of tubes we are
accustomed to hearing about in children who have chronic ear
infections.
How will I receive the Oxygen?
We can deliver the oxygen to you
in many different ways. We will usually use whatever method is most
comfortable for you; however sometimes we need to use one method
over another to assure that the oxygen is properly administered.
Usually, we use a large clear plastic bubble, which fits comfortably
over a patient's head, or we use an aviation-type facemask. For
patients with special needs such as tracheotomies or ventilator
support we have special adapters, which attach to the particular
appliance.
Are there any side effects to
HBO2?
As with all medical treatment there are possible
side effects, although HBO2 has relatively few, in addition to
the ears listed above, some of the more frequent include:
- Sinus blockage. HBO2
is a completely painless procedure.
- When multiple treatments are given over a
long period of time temporary blurred vision may occur.
- Some persons observe lightheadedness for
the first five minutes or so following the treatment.
- This list is not a complete list and
individual may observe individual responses to treatment not
listed here although these represent the most prevalent side
effects.
- In addition, there are a few relative
contraindications for HBO2.
The hyperbaric physician prior to beginning treatment
reviews these with each patient.
Who would be giving me my
treatments?
All of our clinical staff is
specially trained in the area of hyperbaric medicine and our team
includes members with diverse backgrounds, which gives us a much
deeper appreciation for each patient's needs. Our team is composed
of physicians, nurses, respiratory therapist, educators, data entry
specialist and others all dedicated to assuring that the patients
receive optimal care from the very first minute they enter the
program. Our center also maintains a board certified hyperbaric
physician on call 24 hours a day.
How Can I Get More
Information About
HBO2 ?
Just pick up the phone and give us
a call at 239-939-8345. Our hours are 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday
through Friday.
You may also stop by and meet the staff of the Comprehensive
Outpatient Treatment Services of Southwest Florida Regional Medical
Center, located at 3945 Fowler Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901.
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