Monoplace HBOT chambers improve patient care and strengthen colleagues’ safety

The Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) Centre commenced service at Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital (PYNEH) since September 2018. Two monoplace hyperbaric chambers have been introduced to the centre this year for indicated chronically ill patients with relatively stable condition, or whom with infection control precaution. HBOT elevates oxygen content in body tissues, eliminates intra-vascular gas bubbles obstruction, and promotes angiogenesis, etc. Together with the existing multiplace chambers service, waiting time for elective patients are expected to be reduced by half. The new service can also reduce the occupational hazard among clinical staff working in the centre.

Dr Tang Kin-bong, Associate Consultant of Intensive Care Unit explains that before the era of monoplace chamber service, at least one doctor or nurse was required to take care of patients inside the multiplace chamber during treatment. After breathing in air under pressure, the nitrogen content inside the body will be two to three times higher than normal. This will increase the risk of suffering from decompression sickness afterwards. Symptoms of decompression illness include dizziness, shortness of breath, joint and muscle pain, etc. Therefore, staff can only work in the chamber once every 24 hours.

For safety reasons, colleagues are required to fill in a health declaration form before working inside the multiplace chamber to ensure they are fit to work in hyperbaric condition. If they suffer from upper respiratory tract infection, the illness may impair their ability for equalisation and may lead to ear pain or even bleeding from the sinuses. “Staff are requested to undergo monthly health check and annual medical surveillance to ensure they are fit to work. With the introduction of the monoplace chambers, we can monitor our patients’ condition outside the chambers. This can effectively reduce staff occupational risk, allow more flexible staff deployment,” Dr Tang says.