Hyperbaric Facility Safety 2nd Edition

This second edition establishes a comprehensive balance between those hyperbaric providers who have a keen interest in the underlying design standards and regulatory framework and those who need to "get it done."

When the first edition of Hyperbaric Facility Safety, A Practical Guide was published it became an integral part of virtually every hyperbaric facility’s reference library, serving as the go-to standard for a hyperbaric safety program. In this second edition, editors W.T. “Tom” Workman and J. Steven “Steve” Wood have endeavored to establish a comprehensive balance between those hyperbaric providers who have a keen interest in the underlying design standards and regulatory framework and those who need to “get it done.” The second edition is structured into two parts. The first part explains the various regulatory agencies that may influence the field of hyperbaric medicine (including international perspectives), while the second part emphasizes a nuts-and-bolts approach to hyperbaric safety program development and how the safety program integrates all aspects of a hyperbaric facility. The editors, along with the 80 chapter authors and contributors bring experiences from clinical hyperbaric medicine, the U.S. Air Force and Navy, the UHMS Hyperbaric Facility Accreditation program, hyperbaric chamber engineering, manufacturing, and regulatory/standards development.

The field of hyperbaric medicine, along with hyperbaric centers throughout the United States and abroad, continues to grow. This growth has been exponential, touting an increase from 350 centers in 1993 to well over 2,500 programs today. With this progression exists a need to establish a resource guideline for developing complete and comprehensive policies and procedures for clinical hyperbaric units. Hyperbaric policy and procedures provide the guiding principles and foundation for safety, quality, transparency, and cost-effective hyperbaric medical and nursing practice. Every hyperbaric facility needs to follow its specific policies and procedures. Policy and Procedural Guidelines for Hyperbaric Facilities provides needed resource and reference guidelines for new and established hyperbaric facilties. It will serve as a reference for the development of new hyperbaric policies as well as customize and enhance current policies and procedures already in place. Policy and Procedural Guidelines for Hyperbaric Facilities addresses issues of safety and practice for both the multiplace and monoplace environments. It utilizes regulatory guidelines and standards of practice as its foundation. Topics covered in this work include, but are not limited to, governance, administration, emergency procedures, patient care, hyperbaric chamber maintenance, treatment protocols and quality improvement. The appendices include sample forms for both Class A multiplace and Class B monoplace chambers. They are intended to serve as templates for development of hyperbaric unit-specific forms. Also included are acronyms, references, and an index, all specific to hyperbaric medicine. The guidelines provided in this document will benefit the diverse group of physicians, nurses, tecnicians, and allied health-care peronnel in the hyperbaric field as they customize their unit-specific policies and procedures. The contributing authors are comprised of established experts in the field of undersea and hyperbaric medicine. They are a diverse group of physicians, nurses, and technologists who devoted an extensive amount of time and energy into producing this resource document of the highest quality. Specific acknowledgements can be found in the List of Contributors section of the book. Endorsement from Baromedical Nurses Association (BNA) The Baromedical Nurses Association (established 1985) provides a forum for hyperbaric nursing that encompasses quality, safety, teamwork, mentoring, research, education, and nursing guidelines of standards of care for the patient receiving hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The Baromedical Nurses Association endorses the Policy and Procedural Guidelines for Hyperbaric Facilities as guidelines to enable hyperbaric facilities to develop and/or endorse their unit-specific policies.

The UHMS Guidelines for Hyperbaric Facility Operations provides UHMS guidance related to training, responsibility, staffing, safety, and quality assurance for hyperbaric medicine facilities. This 3rd Edition includes the following updates: • New section on research, teaching, and publication • Physician/NPP proctorship and credentials • RN guidelines and responsibilities • Enhanced section on LPN/LVN job description • Addition of the CHS /CHWS certifications • Safety changes and updates • Nonclinical manager changes to job description and recommended training These guidelines are essential for facilities that are new to hyperbaric medicine in establishing best practices. Existing facilities will find this reference indispensable in understanding the current standards and recommendations in maintaining an exceptional hyperbaric program. These guidelines are referenced by the UHMS Hyperbaric Facility Accreditation Manual and therefore are vital in planning and preparing for the hyperbaric survey to receive accreditation status.

A comprehensive guide to safety issues in a clinical hyperbaric facility.