dimanche 22 février 2015

Hyperbaric Facility Upgrading Benefits Patients And Saves Money

By Janine Hughes


Some types of injuries or disease make it necessary to breathe a pure form of oxygen that is under additional atmospheric pressure. The process first came into use to help prevent deep-sea divers from experiencing painful decompression sickness due to rapid ascent, and today is in widespread use as a proven way to encourage more rapid healing of injuries and diseases. Hyperbaric facility upgrading provides advantages both for staff and patients.

Patients enter and remains inside a type of chamber during compression. Normal air is composed of 21% oxygen, and there are somewhat limited benefits to simply breathing a pure mixture. The most medically significant results can be produced by providing a pure form of oxygen that is also under pressure, which measurably increases the amount of that gas present in the bloodstream.

This is important for a number of reasons. Blood vessels form and grow more rapidly, there is less deterioration of damaged tissue, stubborn wounds common in diabetics begin to heal, and the toxicity of certain poisons is reduced. Increasing the amount of oxygen within all body tissues decreases the chances of developing an obstruction due to gas bubbles, and speeds the recovery process. Treatments can be as few as two, or may be necessary daily.

The diseases and injuries that can benefit not only include decompression sickness, but today encompass infections of wounds sustained by diabetics, people who are crushed in accidents, those enduring life-threatening cases of gangrene, and patients with radiation damage from cancer treatments. Those suffering burns may benefit from quicker healing of skin grafts, and victims of carbon monoxide poisoning recover faster.

These kinds of facilities are housed primarily in hospitals, and usually consist of small rooms that hold one person, as well as larger chambers that can accommodate up to a dozen. Monoplace chambers are used for individual treatments, and are sometimes made of large, plastic tubes. Sessions may take up to an hour, during which time the patient reclines inside. Most side effects involve ear-popping caused by changing pressure.

A specific diagnosis determines how much pressure is applied and for how long, in addition to patient history regarding therapeutic oxygen. Some people are scheduled on a daily basis, while others may need far fewer treatments. In most instances the procedure is completely safe, but is not recommended for those who currently have upper respiratory issues or other conditions that may force treatment delays.

Inspections takes place on a regular basis in order to review current operations. Often performed by medical consultants, the equipment itself is analyzed during operation, and staff members are asked to present existing issues or problems. Logs of necessary maintenance and operation often define where those improvements are necessary, and whether equipment needs replacing.

Both staff and patients will appreciate the benefits of upgrading to the latest types of equipment. An updated facility not only provides the latest care, but can also be an important factor for administrators responsible for controlling the financial bottom line. Consultants can detail the relationship between investing in improvements and the resulting cost advantages. Ideally, installation presents few interruptions in scheduled use.




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