HYPERBARIC MEDICINE
AT THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA

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Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBO) is a medical treatment in which a patient breathes 100% oxygen at higher than atmospheric pressure for short periods of time. For example, if you breathe through an oxygen mask five times the normal amount of oxygen will reach your body's tissues. In a pressurized chamber, which is how HBO is administered, 10 to 20 times the normal amount of oxygen reaches the body tissues. This combination of increased oxygen and pressure allows the blood to carry greater amounts of oxygen to the area of the body that needs healing. The extra oxygen is beneficial in treating a number of conditions, including chronic, infected or irradiated wounds and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Is HBO new?

HBO therapy has been in use since the 1930's when it was first used to treat divers for the bends. Since then, thousands of scientific studies have attested to its effectiveness in treating a myriad of conditions including those listed below.

 Is HBO covered by insurance?

In general, almost all third-party payers (insurance companies, health care plans, Medicare, etc.) reimburse for HBO treatments for the conditions we treat. These include:

  • Chronic wounds
  • Carbon monoxide poisoning
  • Gangrene
  • Crush injuries
  • Air or gas embolism
  • Cyanide poisoning
  • Skin flaps/grafts with poor blood supply
  • Acute blood loss anemia
  • Tissue/Bone Damage from Radiation
  • Smoke inhalation
  • Decompression sickness
    (the bends)
  • Persistent fungal infections
  • Bone infection
  • Wounds with poor blood supply

The University of Virginia Health System's Hyperbaric Medicine Service combines state of the art hyperbaric technology with a warm and compassionate environment for the patient and family undergoing the process of hyperbaric oxygenation. It operates in conjunction with the Medical Center's surgical and burn/wound service areas.

At the University of Virginia Health System, HBO is just one of the many leading-edge technologies being explored to ensure that each patient receives the best care possible.

Getting Started

Initial evaluation for wounds or sores

How do I prepare for HBO therapy?

Consult Request Form (Non UVA referrals only)

How do I contact the UVA Hyperbaric Medicine Service?

Patients are seen in consultation only through their attending physician and should be referred to the UVA Hyperbaric Medicine Service by their primary care physician or physician specialist. HMS physicians will examine the patient to determine the suitability for hyperbaric treatment.

For more information on the University of Virginia's Hyperbaric Medicine Service or to initiate a referral please call (434) 982-3999. For your convenience you may also call our Medical Information and Referral Service Office (MIRS) at (800) 251-3627. If you are a referring physician please use the MIRS physician referral line at (800) 552-3723.

Questions or comments about HBO may be E-Mailed to Catherine Ratliff or Roberta Lawrence