Frequently Asked Questions

Not all HBOT chambers are medical devices but all chambers “should” adhere to European Regulations EN14931. (See Annex ZA, Table ZA.1 which shows comparisons of the standards for HBOT Medical Devices as opposed to Standards for Pressurised Vessels for Human occupancy only).

Oxycare’s Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment Systems are licenced as medical devices in accordance with European regulations EN14931.

• CE approved under norms of Medical Devices EN14931, The standard which covers Pressure vessels for human occupancy ( PVHO) – Multi-place pressure chamber systems for hyperbaric therapy – Performance, Safety requirements and testing. This standard was approved by CEN ( European Committee for Standardization ). CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations with stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.
• CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia , Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungry, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, And United Kingdom.

Important Regulatory requirement include:

• • An antechamber – to allow rapid and safe entry or exit from the chamber in case of emergency.
  • A “medical lock” – this is a portal to allow safe transfer of medication or other items into the chamber during a treatment session.
  • A certified fire suppression system.
  • Continuous monitoring of Oxygen levels in the chamber and the antechamber.

• Pressure Equipment directive approved 97/23/EC.
• Medical Devices directive approved 93/42/EEC.
• Medical Devices Quality Management Systems BS EN ISO 13348:2016.

Click here for a comparison table of Oxycare’s hyperbaric oxygen treatment facilities and other providers.

Referrals can be made by your treating consultant or by your GP.

Medical assessment of suitability and pre-screening will be carried out in advance of commencing a course of treatment at Oxycare in order to ensure that hyperbaric oxygen therapy is likely to be of benefit to your condition.

• Enhancement of healing in diabetic foot ulcers, and other suitable ischaemic (oxygen-starved) wounds
• Skin grafts and flaps following Plastic Surgery
• Healing of heat burns
• Radiation injury (aftermath of radiotherapy for cancer treatment – affecting the jaw [mandible] or other areas)
• Acute Sensorineural Hearing Loss (Sudden deafness)
• Osteomyelitis (infection in bone – not responding to normal treatments)
• Crush injuries and other oxygen-deficient injuries
• Intracranial (brain) abscess
• Gas gangrene (rare tissue infection)
• Necrotizing Fasciitis (another rare infection of deep tissue)
• Other rare infections (such as Actinomycosis)
• Air or gas embolism – which can occur after injuries or operations
• Decompression sickness
• Carbon monoxide poisoning
• Cyanide poisoning
• Can be used for delayed union of bones*
• Can be used for Avascular necrosis of the hip joint*
• Enhanced healing following sports or other injuries
• Other indications currently being studied with good preliminary results include Crohn’s disease, anorectal fistula, and delayed bone union

*in some countries.

There is insufficient evidence of benefit for conditions such as:

• Multiple Sclerosis
• Autism
• Lung Conditions (inappropriate for HBOT)
• Anti-aging or beauty therapy
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Cancer
• Various “unproven” conditions, including:
  • Stroke
  • Spinal Injury
  • Alopecia

Ethics of unintentional (or intentional) exploitation of vulnerable patients:

Given the uncertain benefit from HBOT in treatment of unestablished indications, any insinuation of benefit is potentially misleading.

The acceptance of payment for unproven therapy when the patient has unrealistic or unfounded expectations is widely regarded as unethical.

It is unethical to engage in (or to aid or abet) treatment:

• which has no scientific basis,
• may be dangerous,
• may deceive the patient by giving false hope,
• or which may cause the patient to delay in seeking proper care until his or her condition becomes irreversible

All Oxycare HBOT therapy sessions are supervised and attended by a:

• Medical Doctor (Level 2H Hyperbaric Medicine certification)
• Inside Nurse / Attendant

In addition, we collaborate with and have the support of:

• Wound-assessment nurse/Podiatrist
• Expert Consultants in Hyperbaric and Diving Medicine

Oxycare hyperbaric oxygen chambers comply with EU rules and product safety directives:

• We are fully compliant with EU14931 for Medical Devices
• We have EU-certified fire suppression systems.
• We apply rigorous safety precautions before, during, and after treatment sessions.
• We check that patients do not bring hazardous items into the chamber.
• We pre-screen prospective patients for suitability.
• We apply infection control measures in keeping with hospital standards.

Click here for more information on safety.

Effective HBOT typically involves a course of treatment. Depending on the condition being treated this can range from 10 to 40 sessions.

Generally, the cost per session is from €150.

Treatment sessions are scheduled in blocks, which are purchased in advance. For some cases, attendance may be paid by the HSE.

There are indication codes and procedure codes for Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment.

Please check with your Insurance Provider.