Recompression chambers were associated with diving operations until fairly recently. It was only in the early 1960s that research showed the benefits to certain patients of breathing in pure oxygen at pressures greater than normal atmospheric pressure. It was found that this treatment helped new blood vessels to grow and body tissue and organs received more oxygen, thus promoting the healing process. Today a number of hyperbaric chamber training courses exist for health care professionals who want to be involved with this type of treatment.
There are basically two main types of chambers, one which is designed for a single patient whilst the other can accommodate several patients at a time. There is enough space for patients to be comfortable and delivery of the oxygen is individualized. The team can enter and exit the chamber without compromising treatment due to separate compartments compressing and decompressing independently.
Many different conditions benefit from treatment in these chambers. Problem wounds, acute thermal burns, decompression sickness, crush injuries and carbon monoxide poisoning are just some conditions that improve with treatment. The amount of time and length of treatment varies according to the condition being treated and treatment protocols have been established identifying safe time-dose limits.
A number of courses are available for those wanting to learn how to administer the treatment. When selecting such a course, the experience and credentials of those offering the course should also be considered. An accredited course is essential. Other factors that should be considered are course content, teaching methods, cost and length.
Online courses provide a valuable means of achieving further education today for those who may be unable to physically attend a course. One of the fears people have when it comes to taking online courses is of not receiving enough help and having to battle alone to complete assignments. In fact, most of the online courses available today are very interactive and offer easy access to instructors.
The basics covered in such courses are aspects such as operations of chambers, oxygen toxicity, side effects and contraindications. Every aspect of patient care should be covered. It is not enough to just know the theoretical side as the practical aspects are very important. Both should be covered and knowledge should be reinforced with the use of slides, videos and other learning tools.
The length of such courses varies according to the amount of content covered and the experience level of the students. For example, some are specifically designed for those with prior knowledge. Courses may be specifically geared towards physicians, technologists, nurses, respiratory therapists and allied health care professionals. Most of these courses offer some kind of certification once a course is completed.
A well trained multi-disciplinary team is required by any hospitals with chambers as well as medical centers. Treatment is often used together with surgical and medical treatment and is often found to be helpful when other treatments are not so successful. Doing such a course opens up this relatively new arena of medicine and this work can be very fulfilling.
There are basically two main types of chambers, one which is designed for a single patient whilst the other can accommodate several patients at a time. There is enough space for patients to be comfortable and delivery of the oxygen is individualized. The team can enter and exit the chamber without compromising treatment due to separate compartments compressing and decompressing independently.
Many different conditions benefit from treatment in these chambers. Problem wounds, acute thermal burns, decompression sickness, crush injuries and carbon monoxide poisoning are just some conditions that improve with treatment. The amount of time and length of treatment varies according to the condition being treated and treatment protocols have been established identifying safe time-dose limits.
A number of courses are available for those wanting to learn how to administer the treatment. When selecting such a course, the experience and credentials of those offering the course should also be considered. An accredited course is essential. Other factors that should be considered are course content, teaching methods, cost and length.
Online courses provide a valuable means of achieving further education today for those who may be unable to physically attend a course. One of the fears people have when it comes to taking online courses is of not receiving enough help and having to battle alone to complete assignments. In fact, most of the online courses available today are very interactive and offer easy access to instructors.
The basics covered in such courses are aspects such as operations of chambers, oxygen toxicity, side effects and contraindications. Every aspect of patient care should be covered. It is not enough to just know the theoretical side as the practical aspects are very important. Both should be covered and knowledge should be reinforced with the use of slides, videos and other learning tools.
The length of such courses varies according to the amount of content covered and the experience level of the students. For example, some are specifically designed for those with prior knowledge. Courses may be specifically geared towards physicians, technologists, nurses, respiratory therapists and allied health care professionals. Most of these courses offer some kind of certification once a course is completed.
A well trained multi-disciplinary team is required by any hospitals with chambers as well as medical centers. Treatment is often used together with surgical and medical treatment and is often found to be helpful when other treatments are not so successful. Doing such a course opens up this relatively new arena of medicine and this work can be very fulfilling.
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