Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy provides 100 percent pure oxygen (in contrast to the air we breathe, which contains 21 percent oxygen) in a pressurized chamber. This "hyperbaric" or high pressure dose of oxygen offers distinct therapeutic benefits in a variety of illnesses. It may be the primary treatment for some disorders, but is often combined with antibiotics and surgery.
HBO2 therapy delivers oxygen quickly and in high concentrations to injured areas systemically. The increased pressure changes the normal cellular respiration process and causes oxygen to dissolve in the plasma. This results in a substantial increase in tissue oxygenation. HBO2 is beneficial because it stimulates the growth of new blood vessels and increases oxygenation that can stop certain types of infections and enhance wound healing.
Experienced, highly-trained nurses staff Rapid City Regional Hospital's Hyperbaric Medicine Department. Hyperbaric Medicine also has fully-credentialed physicians to answer your questions 24-hours each day.
Emergent and non-emergent treatment for the following:
- Cerebral arterial air embolism
- Crush injuries
- Delayed-radiation injury
- Decompression sickness
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
- Gas gangrene
- Non-healing diabetic wounds
- Necrotizing soft tissue infections
- Chronic osteomyelitis
- Compromised skin grafts and flaps
- Exceptional blood loss anemia
Generally this treatment provides one or more of the following effects:
- Enhanced wound healing
- Preservation of damaged tissues
- Increased oxygen delivery to injured tissue
- Elimination and reduced effects of toxic substances
- Improved infection control
- Reduction or elimination of gas-bubble obstructions
- Greater blood vessel formation