Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy FAQs

A monoplace hyperbaric chamber is used to administer hyperbaric oxygen therapy to one patient at a time. Patients are enclosed in a large, transparent pressurized chamber, allowing the lungs to absorb greater amounts of oxygen as they breathe and consequently delivering more oxygen throughout the body.

The hyperbaric oxygen environment changes the relative pressures of oxygen, nitrogen, and other gases in the blood, organs, and tissues. Normally oxygen is carried by hemoglobin on red blood cells. Under higher pressures, oxygen dissolves in the blood plasma. Breathing pure oxygen in a hyperbaric chamber increases the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood and creates free radicals that stimulate cellular signaling.

HBOT is very effective in treating a wide range of conditions, and medical research of new applications for HBOT continue to be discovered in the U.S. and internationally. MVS Wound Care & Hyperbarics treats the following medical conditions approved by Medicare and many insurance companies:

• Diabetic Wounds
• Chronic Refractory Osteomyelitis
• Delayed radiation Tissue Injury
• Thermal Burns
• Compromised Amputation, Skin Graft, or Flap Site Which Has Failed to Heal Properly
• Acute Arterial Insufficiency/CRAO (Chronic Refractory Arterial Occlusion)
• Sudden Hearing Loss
• Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
• Cyanide Poisoning
• Decompression Sickness
• Air or Gas Embolism
• Gas Gangrene
• Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections
• Acute Traumatic Injuries / Crush Injuries
• Actinomycosis
• Intracranial(Brain) Abscess
• Severe Anemia

Currently, MVS Wound Care & Hyperbarics will treat the following off-label conditions on a case-by-case basis after a consultation and medical review is conducted by our team:

• Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI)
• Lyme Disease
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Fibromyalgia
• Crohn’s Disease
• Complex Regional Pain

Please note: The term “off-label” refers to medical conditions that have not yet been approved by the FDA. Most off-label conditions are not covered by insurance; therefore, self-pay for HBOT off-label treatments is available.

Talk with your doctor or call us directly at 410-433-4300. You can select the location closest to home. MVS Wound Care & Hyperbarics has offices in Rosedale, Glen Burnie, Cockeysville, Pikesville, Westminster, Abingdon/Bel Air and Towson.

A treatment plan is based on your diagnosis or condition. The majority of conditions require 10-40 treatments or more depending on the severity of the individual’s case.  An HBO treatment session generally lasts about two hours total and are administered 5 days a week.

We do not recommend missing any treatments. However, there may be times when you are not able to receive a treatment because of conflicts in scheduling or health complications. We require 24-hour cancellation notice if you are unable to make the appointment.

It may feel like you’re in an airplane taking off and landing in addition you will feel a warm at the beginning and cool towards the end of your treatment.  During the compression periods, people have experienced a slight pressure in their ears.

The treatment rooms at MVS Wound Care & Hyperbarics are equipped with video entertainment systems, so you can watch a movie while receiving your treatment. Some people take a nap or listen to music.

No effective medical treatment comes without the risk of some adverse reactions. The rates of complication for hyperbaric oxygen therapy are very low (<1% of patients have side effects). Potentially serious side effects include trauma to the middle ear, the eye (progressive myopia or cataracts), the lungs (pulmonary edema), and the brain (seizure), as well as claustrophobia.

Take all medications as directed by your doctor. Eat before you arrive. Please avoid smoking immediately before and after hyperbaric treatment.

No, HBOT is a non-invasive treatment that does not require any sedatives or other mind-altering medications. Therefore, you can drive yourself to and from treatment, unless you are otherwise unable to do so.

The hyperbaric technician will remain in the room at all times while you are inside the chamber, and a physician will be nearby as well.

MVS Wound Care & Hyperbarics hyperbaric technicians must first be an emergency medical technician, respiratory therapist, dive medical technician or RN. Then one must complete a 40-hour introductory course and 480 hours of supervised chamber operations prior to taking the certification exam. All technicians work in accordance with and under the supervision of a licensed physician at all times.

MVS Wound Care & Hyperbarics chambers are the largest available. The chamber is comprised of a clear acrylic tube, allowing the patient to see out in all directions. Most patients do not have trouble with claustrophobia, especially after receiving several treatments.

Let the chamber technician know if you are having any symptoms unrelated to the diagnosis for which you are being treated.

The chamber technician has full control over the chamber, and a session can be stopped at any time.

You will be given a set of all-cotton scrubs to change into for your treatment. Do not wear any perfumes, lotions, makeup, nail polish or haircare products when you come in for treatment.  A detailed list will be provided what not to wear prior to treatment.  Prior to treatment, we recommend taking a shower, drying off and do not put anything else on but your clothes.