DGMC's Hyperbaric Medicine Department is comprised of devoted and compassionate professionals who specialize in Hyperbaric/Wound Care. Our outpatient staff consists of the following:
· Two Board Certified Undersea & Hyperbaric Physicians
· One Wound Care Nurse
· One Licensed Vocational Nurse
· Three Medical Technicians
· Five Aerospace & Operational Physiology Technicians
· Two Hyperbaric Instrument Mechanics
Our Mission:
Our center provides consultation in hyperbaric medicine and wound care to the medical facility and tenant units as well as conducting research, education, and medical practice in operational and clinical arenas during conflict or peace. The Hyperbaric Medicine facility operates 24/7 worldwide consultative telephone service in support of military operational requirements. We provide state-of-the-art hyperbaric oxygen therapy to a defined beneficiary population and conducts medical research and clinical investigations to establish optimal treatment protocols.
What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment?
Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment, or HBOT is a medical treatment in which patients inhale intermittent 100 percent oxygen through hoods or masks in chambers pressurized to greater than one atmosphere absolute. The treatment duration and number of required sessions will vary. The typical duration of a wound care treatment dive is two hours.
HBOT has several mechanisms of action, which provide medical benefits. In treating decompression sickness and arterial gas embolism, HBOT helps shrink problematic nitrogen gas bubbles by increasing ambient pressure and by the application of 100 percent oxygen. HBOT has additional benefits: increased blood flow and hyper-oxygenation to ischemic hypoxic tissue; promotes cell growth, new blood vessel formation and collagen deposition; reduces edema; helps fight infection through various enhanced leukocytic functions; and reduces the toxic effects of such poisons as carbon monoxide.
Clinical Information:
- Urgent Referrals or Physician-to-Physician contact should call (707) 423-3987 and ask to speak with a doctor
- VA Referrals and Emergencies require pre-authorization via the VA Liaison
- All non-DOD beneficiaries (civilian) emergencies must be preapproved for hyperbaric treatment via the Chief of Medical Staff
Additional resources:
Feature article:
Dive into DGMC's hyperbaric oxygen treatment chamber
Travis Tailwind,
Nov. 2, 2012 (page 7)
Listing of DGMC's Hyperbaric Medicine providers