Hospitals FAQs
Do we have to take on the financial risk of building out a clinic?
No. When you establish a hyperbaric oxygen therapy clinic through the Center for Wound Healing & Hyperbaric Medicine, we assume the vast majority of the financial and logistical responsibility to build and staff the facility.
After launch, our team continues with ownership of administrative, operational and staffing responsibilities. It is a very low-risk venture, with the potential for substantial return on investment.
Do we have to staff the clinic?
This depends on the preferences of the individual organization. The Center for Wound Healing & Hyperbaric Medicine can provide a unit Medical Director who is board-certified in hyperbaric medicine. In our standard business model, we provide:
- A Center Director to oversee administrative operations
- All clinical staff, including nurses and technicians
At your hospital, the Center Director would have the same standing as any other unit director. Typically, these positions report to the COO or CFO.
Depending on an organization’s preferences and needs, staffing may also be done in-house rather than contracted through the Center for Wound Healing & Hyperbaric Medicine.
Do we have to train the clinical staff?
The Center for Wound Healing & Hyperbaric Medicine provides all staff training, including:
- Safety training for the center’s designated hyperbaric safety director
- Clinical staff training
- Clinical staff continuing education
How is billing handled?
Billing is managed by the hospital through your existing accounting system. We have a revenue cycle support team that monitors the entire revenue cycle, resulting in greater collection rates and the most secure revenue in the business.
How are Electronic Medical Records (EMR) / Electronic Health Records (ERH) handled?
The Center for Wound Healing & Hyperbaric Medicine provides an ONC, ATB, Drummond-certified wound care and hyperbaric-specific EMR.
They utilize HL7 and ADT, MDM and DFT interfaces to provide complete, seamless integration with your hospital’s existing EHR infrastructure.
What are your industry credentials?
All wound care clinics managed by the Center for Wound Healing & Hyperbaric Medicine are:
What is your hospital partnership renewal rate?
We are proud to have maintained a nearly 100% contract renewal rate with our provider partnerships since our inception in 2004.
Who can I contact with other questions about an HBOT clinic in my facility?
Have more questions about how your healthcare organization’s facility can benefit from a hyperbaric oxygen therapy treatment clinic from the Center for Wound Healing & Hyperbaric Medicine? Contact us today.
Physicians FAQs
What are the indications for HBOT?
See the Physicians page for a list of approved indications for HBOT.
What are the contraindications for HBOT?
See the Physicians page for absolute and relative contraindications for HBOT.
Are there peer-reviewed studies on HBOT efficacy?
A large body of research demonstrates the efficacy of HBOT treatment for a wide range of conditions. See the HBOT Research page for examples.
Do I maintain control of my patient’s treatment?
Yes. You remain as your patient’s primary physician and collaborate with a hyperbaric medicine specialist to determine an appropriate treatment plan.
Clinic staff will inform you of your patient’s progress after treatment. All patients must follow up with their referring physician at the conclusion of treatment.
What can I tell my patients about insurance and Medicare coverage for HBOT?
HBOT for FDA-approved indications is generally covered by insurance. It is generally not covered for off-label treatments.
The Center for Wound Healing & Hyperbaric Medicine staff will assist your patient with securing insurance approval for approved conditions before treatment begins.
What is the duration of the average treatment plan?
Generally speaking, HBOT treatment sessions are 2 hours, and patients receive 20-30 daily (weekday) treatments. This can vary by type of condition and whether it is acute or chronic.
How much pressure is used in HBOT treatments?
The Center for Wound Healing & Hyperbaric Medicine follows the treatment recommendations of the UHMS.
Who can I contact about patient referrals for HBOT treatment or other questions?
Have questions about how to refer your patients so they can benefit from hyperbaric oxygen therapy treatment at a Center for Wound Healing & Hyperbaric Medicine clinic? Contact us today.
Patients FAQs
What is HBOT?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) occurs inside a treatment chamber made of clear acrylic, which gives the patient a clear view and unrestricted feeling. The patient breathes 100% oxygen while the ambient pressure is increased. This treatment helps the body’s natural healing mechanisms work more effectively.
What should I expect in an HBOT treatment session?
The HBOT treatment process is straightforward and will be similar for each treatment.
- Patients prepare for treatment by changing into a cotton gown/scrubs and lying on the chamber’s treatment bed. Your hyperbaric technician will ensure you are safely prepared for treatment by obtaining your vitals and consulting with a physician. A physician is always present in the clinic during your treatment, and your hyperbaric technician will always be within sight and immediately available.
- From the moment you begin treatment, you may watch or listen to a movie or your favorite streaming service as the chamber pressurizes and your treatment progresses. Most patients enjoy audiobooks, resting, watching a show or listening to music during treatment.
- After treatment, clinic staff will update your doctor on your progress.
Will I be alone in the HBOT chamber?
While you will be in the privacy of a single HBOT treatment chamber, your hyperbaric technician will be with you the entire time. Should you need anything during your treatment, our technicians are ready to assist.
What does HBOT feel like?
At the beginning of treatment, you will experience a feeling of fullness in your ears, like when on an airplane. You will be educated before treatment on how to clear your ears so this feeling goes away.
The temperature inside the chamber will increase just slightly while the chamber pressurizes. Some patients don’t even notice this change. For those who do, the technician will be able to make the environment more comfortable.
During treatment you can relax, sleep, watch TV or listen to music.
At the end of treatment, while the chamber depressurizes, you will experience a similar feeling of fullness in the ears. You won’t need to clear your ears, as they will clear on their own.
Does HBOT treatment hurt?
An HBOT session should be painless. If you experience any pain during an HBOT session, notify the hyperbaric technician.
How long does an HBOT treatment take?
An HBOT treatment session will be conducted at a regularly scheduled time, and a typical session takes about 2 hours.
How many HBOT treatments do I need?
An HBOT treatment plan varies based on patient need and is determined by the hyperbaric doctor. The decision is based on the patient’s diagnosis and their body’s response to treatments.
Most wound-healing patients receive one treatment per day (Monday – Friday) for 20 to 30 days.
Do I keep my doctor?
Yes. Your doctor refers you for HBOT treatment and stays in charge of your care. The hyperbaric clinic’s doctor serves as a consultant, working closely with your doctor to plan and manage your HBOT treatment.
Is HBOT covered by insurance?
Yes, most insurance companies cover hyperbaric oxygen therapy treatment for approved conditions. Your hyperbaric clinic’s staff will assist with securing insurance verification before your treatment begins.
Is HBOT safe?
HBOT treatment is prescribed by a physician and performed under medical supervision. Although there is a minor risk of side effects as with any medical treatment, hyperbaric oxygen therapy is extremely safe overall.
What are the risks and possible side effects of HBOT?
The risks of properly administered HBOT are minimal. HBOT treatments use proven methods, such as very slowly inducing pressure changes, to minimize risk and help prevent side effects.
Most side effects are not commonly experienced, and many are rare. These mild, generally temporary side effects can occur:
- Fatigue
- Ear discomfort
- Serous otitis (fluid collects in ears)
- Vision changes (blurring, change in prescription)
- Maturing cataracts
In very rare cases, more serious side effects can occur. The physician will cover these with you before your first treatment.
What does UHMS accreditation mean?
The Undersea Hyperbaric & Medical Society is a nonprofit organization that sets rigorous patient treatment and facility standards within the hyperbaric medicine specialty.
UHMS accreditation means an HBOT clinic meets the highest standards of patient care and safety, determined through a comprehensive evaluation of each facility’s equipment, staff and training.
UHMS membership and accreditation are not a requirement. This is an elevated level of operational excellence that the Center for Wound Healing & Hyperbaric Medicine chooses to provide for patients. All our clinics have the option to go through UHMS accreditation. We assist and support them at every step of the process.
Who can I contact with other questions about the benefits of HBOT treatment?
Have questions about how you may benefit from hyperbaric oxygen therapy treatment at a Center for Wound Healing & Hyperbaric Medicine clinic? Contact us today.
Advanced Wound Care FAQs
What is a chronic non-healing wound?
A chronic wound is a wound that fails to heal within an expected timeframe, often due to poor circulation, diabetes, infection, or underlying medical conditions.
When should I seek advanced wound care treatment?
Patients should seek specialized wound care if a wound:
- Does not improve as expected
- Shows signs of infection
- Continues to drain
- Causes increasing pain or swelling
- Develops blackened or dead tissue
Early intervention may help reduce serious complications.
What does HBOT do for wound healing?
HBOT increases oxygen delivery to damaged tissue, which may help stimulate blood vessel growth, reduce infection risk, and support tissue repair.
Is HBOT covered by insurance?
Many HBOT treatments for approved medical indications may be reimbursable. Coverage varies depending on diagnosis and insurance provider.