Bumrungrad International recently introduced a new "Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Unit" to offer therapeutic benefits to people who suffer from certain illness and conditions.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) or 'high pressure' treatment is a non-invasive and painless course of treatment originally developed to relieve scuba and deep-sea divers of a dangerous condition called decompression sickness or 'the bends'. But today, besides the bends, it is used to treat several other conditions. For example, HBOT can reduce the effects of toxic substances, alleviate gas-bubble obstructions, promote wound healing, increase oxygen delivery to injured tissue, and improve infection control.
The new Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Unit located at the main Bumrungrad building provides treatment for both inpatients and outpatients. The unit is equipped with the latest hyperbaric technology. A team of physicians who specialize in Hyperbaric Medicine, together with intensive care nurses, staff the facility.
During treatment at the HBOT Unit, the patient lies comfortably in a body-length transparent tube (the "hyperbaric chamber") and breathes 100 percent oxygen under increased pressure. A doctor is right outside the tube, in visual contact. A two-way radio allows the patient to speak with people outside the tube.
The typical treatment lasts for 60-90 minutes. The number of treatments depends on the purpose of the treatment.
"Breathing 100 percent pure oxygen, under higher than normal atmospheric pressure, increases the amount of oxygen in the blood. This can help heal, fight of infection, decrease swelling, and aid the growth of new blood vessels. These benefits cannot be achieved by breathing oxygen in a regular room," said Dr. Karoon Mekanontchai, Bumrungrad International's Medical Director, who added that apart from various benefits, HBOT was recognized as a successful adjunctive treatment to surgery.
Mr. Mack Banner, CEO of Bumrungrad International, added that HBOT is one of a series of technology investments the hospital is making to benefit its patients.
About Bumrungrad International
Bumrungrad International is Southeast Asia's premier private hospital and a regional referral center for advanced care, offering 554 beds, 30 specialty centers, 940 medical specialists and over 800 nurses. It is Asia's first JCI accredited hospital and serves more than one million patients yearly from 190 different countries.