Uhms Guidelines For Hyperbaric Facility Operations 3rd Edition

During the last decade the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) has witnessed an extraordinary growth of interest and activity in the field of hyperbaric medicine. This is due, in part, to the important progress made in defining the mechanisms of action of hyperbaric oxygen therapy and to a growing awareness of its place in the medical treatment of various aspects of hypoxic-related illnesses. An increasing awareness of the significance of problems facing patients suffering from chronic and non-healing wounds in our aging society and the opportunity to improve patient outcomes has further stimulated the growth of this specialty. As with rapid growth in other specialties, the need exists for basic recommendations to guide practitioners on issues such as training, responsibility, staffing, credentialing, safety, and quality assurance. These recommendations are designed to help improve medical care, optimize outcomes, maintain safety, and positively affect the lives of our patients. This edition of the UHMS Guidelines for Hyperbaric Facility Operation is not intended to be inclusive, to re-write authoritative texts, or to usurp accepted organizations or certifying bodies, but often references these standards when appropriate. For example, in 2002 the UHMS established a voluntary clinical hyperbaric facility accreditation program. Recommendations contained in this report have been referenced as key survey elements of the accreditation process. As is the case with the practice of any medical specialty, responsibility to ensure competency, quality of care and safety falls to the providers of that care and the institutions that support their practice. By providing these recommendations, the UHMS hopes to stimulate and support the continued evolution of the safe and effective practice of this specialty.

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.

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.

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.

Since its first appearance in 1977, the UHMS Hyperbaric Medicine Indications Manual has served as a guide for practitioners and scientists interested in hyperbaric and undersea medicine. The UHMS and Best Publishing Company are pleased to announce the upcoming release of the 15th Edition of the Hyperbaric Medicine Indications Manual. This will include updates to existing chapters, a new chapter on the newest indication to be approved by the Oxygen Therapy Committee, and a new chapter on the Dosing of Hyperbaric Oxygen. Chapters: Hyperbaric Treatment of Air or Gas Embolism: Current Recommendations Central Retinal Artery Occlusion Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Selected Problem Wounds Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Clostridial Myonecrosis (Gas Gangrene) The Effect of Hyperbaric Oxygen on Compromised Grafts and Flaps The Role of Hyperbaric Oxygen for Acute Traumatic Ischemias Decompression Sickness Delayed Radiation Injuries (Soft Tissue and Bony Necrosis) and Potential for Future Research Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss Intracranial Abscess Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections Refractory Osteomyelitis Severe Anemia Adjunctive Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in the Treatment of Thermal Burns Avascular Necrosis of Femoral Head Emerging Indications: Mechanisms of Action of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Side Effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Oxygen Dosing Oxygen Pretreatment and Preconditioning Randomized Controlled Trials in Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine Emerging Indications: Inflammatory Bowel Disease Emerging Indications for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy