Hyperbaric Medicine

Over the past 30 years, Miller Children’s has provided hyperbaric oxygen treatments to children in Los Angeles and Orange counties, on an inpatient and follow-up care basis seven days a week. The Department of Hyperbaric Medicine is internationally recognized and houses state-of-the-art hyperbaric oxygen chambers. Each monoplace (one person) chamber is constructed using clear plastic material, allowing children the opportunity to visit with family or watch TV and videos during treatment.

Conditions Treated by Hyperbaric Oxygen (HBO) Therapy (subhead)

The following conditions approved by Medicare and the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society are treated using HBO therapy:

• Air or gas embolisms
• Carbon monoxide poisoning and smoke inhalation
• Chronic bone infections (chronic refractory osteomyelitis)
• Compromised skin grafts or flaps
• Crush injuries, compartment syndromes and other acute traumatic injuries
• Delayed radiation injury to bone (Osteoradionecrosis)
• Delayed radiation injury to soft tissues (soft tissue radiation necrosis)
• Gas gangrene (clostridial myonecrosis)
• Intracranial abscesses
• Necrotizing soft tissue infections
• Non-healing diabetic leg and foot wounds and other selected problem wounds
• Serious burn injuries
• The “Bends” (decompression sickness)

Additional indications for hyperbaric oxygen therapy may be discussed with the child’s doctor and the hyperbaric medicine team. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is usually used as part of a multi-disciplinary care approach. Additional treatments may also include antibiotic therapy, nutritional support and surgical procedures, if indicated. The hyperbaric medicine team will work closely with other pediatric specialists to coordinate any additional care needed.