Patient safety in the hyperbaric environment is the focus of the daily operating procedures at Hyperbaric Oxygen of Kansas City. Each of the hyperbaric chambers are in compliance with the requirements set forth by the by the Food and Drug Administration, Medical Devices Act of 1976, NFPA 99, ASME-PVHO-1 and the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society facility Accreditation guidelines.
Prior your arrival to the hyperbaric facility, our board-certified staff will have completed the established procedures that ensure each chamber is in operating order.
Our staff will prepare you for each treatment by obtaining vitals signs, blood glucose level (for diabetic patients), lung sounds and review your understanding of the treatment process.
You will need to change into a 100% cotton gown, which will be provided. All linens must be 100% cotton; this includes pocket-less gowns (without metal snaps or Velcro ties), sheets, pillowcases, bath towels, and blankets and a chamber manufacturer recommended pillow and mattress. Personal clothing is not allowed.
It will be necessary to remove any hair or skin products, as well as make-up, cologne or perfume. These items are typically petroleum based and are identified as “banned items” for the hyperbaric chamber. Oil, grease, or any alcohol or petroleum-based products are not allowed inside the chamber. This includes dressings containing oil or petroleum-based products.
ONLY those items essential for patient care are permitted inside the chamber. Examples include NG tubes, metal skeletal fixation devices, cotton wound dressings, Foley catheters, drains, monitoring leads and cables.
Examples of items NOT permitted in the chamber include all battery-powered devices, external pacemaker generators, Holter monitors, TENS units, external insulin pumps, watches, hearing aids, pens, smoking materials (matches and lighters) silk tape, and thermal skin patches.
You will be provided a list of items that are acceptable and unacceptable for the hyperbaric environment. This list in the form of signage can also be found throughout the facility. Any item(s) not identified on the list or signage requires authorization by both the Hyperbaric Medicine Safety Director and the Hyperbaric Medicine Medical Director.