Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) involves the use of pressurized chambers where patients breathe in pure oxygen. It is used for various conditions, including chronic wounds, carbon monoxide poisoning, and decompression sickness. While these chambers are an essential tool in the medical field, they come with risks due to the high levels of oxygen and pressure involved.

The recent hyperbaric chamber explosion in Michigan has left many people wondering about the safety of HBOT facilities. Although the specific cause of the blast is still unknown, available information indicates that pressure issues and oxygen-related problems may have contributed to the incident. This tragedy again reminded us of the need to help with proper design on the medical gas systems, help with the installation of medical gas, and help ensure that the NFPA 99 safety rules are followed in the letter.

Understanding Hyperbaric Chamber Safety Risks

How Hyperbaric Chambers Function and Why They Are Dependent on Medical Gases

Hyperbaric chambers work by subjecting patients to oxygen at pressures higher than atmospheric pressure, between 1.5 and 3.0 ATA. This process increases the amount of oxygen dissolved in the bloodstream, which enhances the healing process for a number of conditions. However, working with high-pressure oxygen presents certain unique engineering challenges.

Medical gas systems for hyperbaric chambers must:

• Provide pure medical grade oxygen at the correct flow rates.
• Regulate the pressure to prevent overpressurization and keep it constant.
• Use special piping and materials suitable for use in a high pressure oxygen environment.
• Provide correct gas venting and evacuation to avoid oxygen and pressure build-up. 

Key Safety Risks in Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Although much effort has been put into the engineering and safety of hyperbaric chambers, several dangers arise due to incorrect installation and maintenance of medical gases.

• Fire and combustion risks: Any environment with a high oxygen concentration is more combustible. Even the slightest spark from static electricity or a faulty electrical device can cause a flash fire that spreads quickly in a sealed chamber.
• Overpressurization and structural failure: If gas pressure is allowed to rise beyond the chamber’s design pressure, it can lead to a catastrophic failure, which can burst the structure and expose patients and personnel to danger.
• Incorrectly installed medical gas: Mistakes in the piping, flow rates, or safety valves can lead to dangerous levels of oxygen in the chamber.
• Non-compliance with NFPA 99 and ASME PVHO-1 standards: NFPA 99 provides the rules for the safety of healthcare gas systems, while ASME PVHO-1 addresses pressure vessel load-bearing capacity. Non-compliance with these guidelines has caused some devastating accidents in the past.

How to Create Better Medical Gas Systems for Hyperbaric Chambers

Since patient safety is the top priority, medical gas system designers, installers, and hospital administrators must design such chambers with fail-safe mechanisms.

Improve Medical Gas System Design for Hyperbaric Facilities

To prevent the occurrence of specific incidents, the following has to be done:

• The use of automated pressure controls: The new hyperbaric chambers are equipped with digital pressure and flow rate regulators, which help regulate the pressure and flow rates during the treatment, thus avoiding the risks associated with fluctuating pressures.
• Better oxygen delivery infrastructure: The gas supply lines should be made of material that is resistant to fire and should not corrode, allowing the safe transfer of oxygen at high pressures.
• Emergency shutoff and venting systems: To protect the patient and personnel from oxygen saturation or pressure buildup, fail-safe shut-off valves and rapid decompression devices are required.

Investing in advanced medical gas technology for hospitals and hyperbaric centers rewards them with better chamber performance, safety in operations, and optimization of energy use.

The Importance of a Certified Medical Gas Installer in Hyperbaric Chamber Safety

Medical gas installers are crucial in constructing and setting up the gas delivery systems of hyperbaric chambers as per the NFPA 99, OSHA, and ASME PVHO-1 standards. A certified professional:

• Verifies that the piping is not leaking and that all the fittings are well sealed to avoid dangerous oxygen leaks.
• Carries out pressure and purity checks before putting the chamber into service.
• Implements gas monitoring systems that give real-time alerts for pressure and gas composition changes.
• Educates the hospital and clinical staff on the proper handling and management of medical gases in the hyperbaric room. 

The explosion in Michigan shows that ignorance of safety measures can have drastic consequences. Therefore, correct medical gas installation and regular checks should be done not as a matter of choice but as a matter of safety to protect people’s lives.

The hyperbaric chamber explosion in Michigan has once again highlighted the need for safety in high-pressure environments when it comes to medical gas. Nevertheless, hyperbaric oxygen therapy is an invaluable tool in managing many diseases; however, the properties of oxygen at high pressures warrant perpetual safety precautions.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) should only be administered under the supervision of qualified healthcare professionals. The safety guidelines, medical gas system standards, and other recommendations discussed are based on established practices and regulations, but individual circumstances may vary. Always consult with certified medical gas installers and healthcare experts to ensure compliance with local safety standards, including NFPA 99 and ASME PVHO-1, when designing and maintaining hyperbaric chamber systems. 

Published by Stephanie M.