Pacific Specialist Healthcare is set to introduce a new Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) service shortly, which could significantly reduce the risk of amputations in patients with diabetic foot ulcers by as much as 44 percent in Fiji. Parvish Kumar, the director and CEO of PSH, referenced a meta-analysis in Diabetes Care indicating that patients receiving HBOT showed substantially improved wound healing and fewer severe amputations compared to those receiving standard care.
Kumar emphasized that some clinical trials have indicated HBOT can decrease the amputation risk among diabetic patients by 30 to 40 percent, depending on ulcer severity and treatment duration. He expressed excitement about the launch of this advanced HBOT service, which aims to provide patients with an effective new treatment option for various medical conditions.
HBOT involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized environment, which speeds up healing, improves recovery, and treats multiple conditions that often do not respond well to typical treatments. Initially developed for treating decompression sickness in divers, HBOT’s applications have expanded significantly in modern healthcare.
Key benefits and applications of the forthcoming HBOT service include:
– **Decompression Sickness (DCS):** Treatment of DCS in divers through HBOT chambers, which help dissolve nitrogen bubbles in the bloodstream.
– **Carbon Monoxide Poisoning:** Rapid elimination of carbon monoxide from the bloodstream, restoring oxygen levels and minimizing organ damage.
– **Advanced Wound Healing:** A valuable resource for patients with chronic wounds like diabetic foot ulcers, as HBOT enhances oxygen delivery to damaged areas and supports new blood vessel formation.
– **Severe Infections:** Treatment for life-threatening infections such as necrotizing fasciitis by boosting oxygen levels in infected tissues, thereby strengthening the immune response and overall recovery.
– **Support for Radiation Therapy Patients:** Healing of radiation therapy side effects by repairing damaged tissues.
– **Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) and Stroke Recovery:** Potential improvement in recovery following TBIs and strokes through increased oxygen supply to affected brain areas.
– **Thermal Burns:** Aid in recovery for severe burn patients by delivering oxygen to burned tissues and reducing inflammation.
– **Severe Anaemia:** Temporary increase of tissue oxygen levels in severe anaemia cases until red blood cell counts can be restored.
– **Sports Injuries:** Accelerated healing for athletes recovering from muscle injuries, promoting faster returns to peak performance.
As PSH evolves to become a leading healthcare provider in the region, the introduction of HBOT Therapy highlights its commitment to innovation and quality patient care. Kumar invited patients, healthcare collaborators, and the community to stay informed about this new service, which complements existing advanced surgical and rehabilitation offerings. With HBOT, Pacific Specialist Healthcare is poised to enhance the possibilities of modern medicine.