Pacific Specialist Healthcare is set to introduce a new Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) service, which has the potential to lower the risk of amputation in diabetic foot ulcer patients by as much as 44 percent in Fiji. Director and CEO Parvish Kumar revealed that a meta-analysis published in Diabetes Care indicates that patients who undergo HBOT experience significantly better wound healing rates and fewer major amputations compared to those receiving standard care.
Kumar noted that clinical trials have shown HBOT can reduce amputation risks for diabetic patients by 30 to 40 percent, depending on factors like the size of the ulcer and therapy duration. “We are thrilled to launch our advanced HBOT service, giving patients a powerful new option for managing various medical conditions,” he commented.
As a leading healthcare provider in the region, PSH is committed to enhancing its services with innovative technologies, and HBOT exemplifies this commitment. The therapy involves administering pure oxygen in a high-pressure environment, promoting healing and recovery for various conditions that may not respond to conventional treatments.
Initially developed for treating decompression sickness in divers, HBOT’s applications have since expanded significantly in modern medicine. Some of the key benefits and uses of the new HBOT service include:
– **Decompression Sickness (DCS)**: The therapy effectively treats divers suffering from DCS by resolving nitrogen bubbles in their bloodstream through pressurized oxygen.
– **Carbon Monoxide Poisoning**: HBOT rapidly removes carbon monoxide from the bloodstream, restoring oxygen levels and minimizing organ damage.
– **Advanced Wound Healing**: The service will assist patients with chronic wounds, such as diabetic foot ulcers, by enhancing oxygen supply to injured tissues and accelerating healing.
– **Severe Infections**: HBOT can be used to treat life-threatening infections like necrotizing fasciitis by increasing oxygen levels in infected areas, which boosts the immune response and improves antibiotic effectiveness.
– **Support for Radiation Therapy Patients**: It aids in repairing tissues damaged by radiation, alleviating side effects associated with cancer treatments.
– **Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) and Stroke Recovery**: Preliminary research indicates HBOT might enhance recovery for these conditions by increasing oxygen levels in affected brain areas.
– **Thermal Burns**: The therapy offers a promising method for reducing damage and inflammation in severe burns, resulting in quicker recovery and fewer complications.
– **Severe Anaemia**: In cases where blood transfusions are unavailable, HBOT can temporarily elevate tissue oxygen levels, maintaining organ function until red blood cell counts can be restored.
– **Sports Injuries**: Athletes can benefit from HBOT to speed up recovery from muscle injuries, decreasing inflammation and facilitating tissue repair.
As Pacific Specialist Healthcare continues to develop as a top-tier healthcare provider, the introduction of HBOT Therapy reflects its commitment to innovative, patient-centered care. Kumar invites patients, healthcare partners, and community members to stay informed about the new service, emphasizing that HBOT will enhance PSH’s existing advanced surgical and rehabilitation offerings to provide a comprehensive approach to healing.