Pacific Specialist Healthcare is set to introduce a new Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) service that promises to significantly reduce amputation rates in diabetic foot ulcer patients in Fiji, potentially by as much as 44 percent. Parvish Kumar, director and CEO of PSH, highlighted findings from a meta-analysis published in Diabetes Care, which indicated that patients receiving HBOT exhibited much higher wound healing rates and a decrease in major amputations compared to those who only received standard care.
Kumar noted that clinical trials suggest a risk reduction in amputations for diabetic patients receiving HBOT could range from 30 to 40 percent, depending on the severity of the ulcers and length of treatment. He expressed enthusiasm for the launch of this advanced HBOT service, emphasizing its role as a powerful new therapeutic option for a variety of medical conditions.
HBOT involves administering pure oxygen within a pressurized environment, which can expedite healing, enhance recovery, and address multiple health issues that may not respond to traditional treatments. Initially developed for treating decompression sickness in divers, the applications of HBOT have expanded significantly, making it an essential part of contemporary medicine.
Key benefits and uses of the upcoming HBOT service include:
– **Decompression Sickness**: Divers affected by this condition will receive immediate treatment using HBOT, which helps dissolve nitrogen bubbles in the bloodstream.
– **Carbon Monoxide Poisoning**: HBOT plays a critical role in rapidly clearing carbon monoxide from the system, restoring oxygen to organs and promoting quicker recovery.
– **Advanced Wound Healing**: The therapy will assist patients with chronic wounds, such as diabetic foot ulcers, by enhancing oxygen delivery to damaged tissues and fostering new blood vessel growth.
– **Severe Infections**: HBOT can be particularly effective for life-threatening infections, including necrotizing fasciitis, by boosting oxygen levels in infected areas, which strengthens the immune response and improves antibiotic efficacy.
– **Support for Radiation Therapy Patients**: It offers a healing avenue for those suffering from the long-term effects of radiation treatment, aiding in tissue repair and alleviating side effects.
– **Traumatic Brain Injuries and Stroke Recovery**: Although further research is ongoing, initial evidence suggests HBOT may support recovery in these cases by increasing oxygen delivery to injured brain regions.
– **Thermal Burns**: The therapy may also reduce damage and inflammation from severe burns, promoting quicker healing and minimizing infection risks.
– **Severe Anaemia**: In situations where blood transfusions are delayed, HBOT can temporarily improve oxygen levels and maintain organ function.
– **Sports Injuries**: Athletes can benefit from HBOT to speed up recovery from muscle injuries, as it reduces inflammation and repairs damaged tissues.
As PSH continues to advance as a leading healthcare provider in the region, the introduction of HBOT therapy exemplifies its commitment to innovative and high-quality patient care. Kumar welcomed patients, healthcare partners, and community members to stay tuned for further updates on this transformative service, emphasizing PSH’s dedication to expanding the frontiers of modern medicine.