Pacific Specialist Healthcare is set to introduce a new Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) service soon, which may decrease amputation rates among diabetic foot ulcer patients in Fiji by as much as 44 percent. Parvish Kumar, the director and CEO of PSH, explained that a meta-analysis published in Diabetes Care revealed that patients undergoing HBOT showed significantly better wound healing and fewer major amputations than those receiving standard treatment. He mentioned that some clinical trials indicate a 30-40 percent reduction in amputation risk for diabetic patients, depending on the ulcer’s severity and duration of therapy.
Kumar expressed excitement about launching this state-of-the-art HBOT service, which aims to provide patients with a powerful option for various medical conditions. He noted that as a leading healthcare provider in the region, PSH is committed to expanding services utilizing advanced technologies, with HBOT symbolizing a significant step forward in patient-centered care.
HBOT involves administering pure oxygen in a highly pressurized environment, a method that can speed up healing, enhance recovery, and address numerous conditions that may not respond adequately to standard therapies. Initially designed for treating decompression sickness in divers, the applications of HBOT have expanded, making it a crucial element in modern medicine.
Key benefits and applications of the forthcoming HBOT service include the following:
1. **Decompression Sickness (DCS)**: Divers can access HBOT for effective treatment of DCS. The high-pressure oxygen helps dissolve nitrogen bubbles in the bloodstream, quickly normalizing the body’s condition.
2. **Carbon Monoxide Poisoning**: HBOT plays a vital role in treating carbon monoxide poisoning by rapidly removing carbon monoxide from the bloodstream, which helps restore oxygen levels and minimizes organ damage.
3. **Advanced Wound Healing**: The service will greatly benefit patients with chronic wounds such as diabetic foot ulcers and injuries from radiation, as HBOT improves oxygen supply to damaged tissues and encourages new blood vessel formation, thus accelerating healing.
4. **Severe Infections**: HBOT is also indicated for treating serious infections like necrotizing fasciitis. The therapy increases oxygen levels in infected tissues, which boosts the immune response and enhances antibiotic effectiveness.
5. **Support for Radiation Therapy Patients**: For individuals facing long-term effects from radiation, HBOT can facilitate tissue repair and alleviate side effects associated with cancer treatments.
6. **Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) and Stroke Recovery**: Although still under investigation, initial findings suggest that HBOT might aid recovery for patients with TBIs and strokes by enhancing oxygen supply to damaged brain regions.
7. **Thermal Burns**: For severe burn patients, HBOT can be an effective method for reducing tissue damage and inflammation, promoting quicker healing and reducing infection risks.
8. **Severe Anaemia**: In severe anaemia cases where blood transfusions are not immediately available, HBOT can temporarily elevate tissue oxygen levels to sustain organ function until red blood cell levels improve.
9. **Sports Injuries**: Athletes can benefit from HBOT for faster recovery from muscle injuries, as the therapy reduces inflammation and promotes tissue regeneration, helping them return to peak performance quickly.
As PSH continues its rapid growth as a top healthcare provider in the region, the introduction of HBOT Therapy reflects its commitment to innovative and high-quality patient care. Kumar encourages patients, healthcare partners, and community members to stay updated about the upcoming service, emphasizing that HBOT will broaden the horizons of modern medical capabilities.