Hyperbaric Medicine

• Acute traumatic ischemic injuries
• Arterial gas embolism
• Carbon Monoxide poisoning
• Central Retinal Artery Occlusion
• Decompression sickness
• Exceptional blood loss anemia
• Gas gangrene and necrotizing fasciitis
• Specific acute thermal burns

• Avascular Necrosis
• Compromised skin grafts and flaps
• Delayed soft-tissue radiation injury
• Enhanced healing of selected problem wounds
• Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss
• Intracranial abscess
• Osteoradionecrosis
• Refractory osteomyelitis

Your doctor will need to make a request to the hyperbaric physician for consultation on your case. Then you may make an appointment for this consultation.

Most patients are treated once a day, 5 days a week. Emergency patients are treated when they need it, regardless of the day or time. Depending on your condition, the hyperbaric medicine physician will determine the number of treatments you need, as well as the duration of each treatment and the atmospheric pressure during the treatment.

During the treatment you will rest comfortably in your chair in the hyperbaric chamber. There are usually several patients in the room with you and there is always a medical attendant in the chamber also. The chamber is filled with pressurized air and you will breathe oxygen. Most treatments last about 2 hours.

During treatment, patients may read a book, do crossword puzzles, listen to music, or sleep. At the beginning of each treatment, you will feel the air pressure changes in your ears. You will receive instruction on how to equalize ear pressure prior to starting treatment. There are no unusual sensations associated with breathing 100 percent oxygen. You will feel just as good at the end of the treatment as you did at the beginning. Treatment does not interfere with the ability to work or drive. 

Your physician consultation at Hennepin Healthcare will include a complete review of your medical history and medical records, a physical examination, a recommendation for or against hyperbaric oxygen treatment, and detailed explanation of the benefits and risks of this treatment. You are encouraged to bring a current list of all your medications and to bring a family member with you. In most cases, you will not have a hyperbaric treatment on this day. A chest x-ray and some laboratory tests will be required before your first treatment. These may be done at your own physician’s office.

If you have questions, need to cancel an appointment, or have problems, call the Center for Hyperbaric Medicine at 612-873-7420 and ask to speak to a nurse. If you need to talk to a hyperbaric physician, the nurse will arrange that for you.

Yes. Donations are welcome to support the department of Hyperbaric Medicine. If you are pleased with your care or the care of a loved one, a financial donation is one way to share your appreciation. Donation are used to support staff education and training, program supplies and urgent needs of patients who are served, such as transportation assistance.  

General donations can be made online. Simply write in Hyperbaric Medicine on the 'other' designation line.

If you would like to talk with a member of the Hennepin Healthcare Foundation about supporting the program, please email helen.liebe@hcmed.org or call our general office line at 612-873-6090 to be connected. 

Outpatient referral appointments: 612-873-7420
Inpatient referral: Hennepin Connect, 612-873-4262 or 1-800-424-4262