Portable Hyperbaric Advantages

Portable Hyperbaric Disadvantages

·         Relatively low purchase price between $10,000- $25,000

·         Inexpensive to operate

·         Requires little space

·         No need to renovate facility for oxygen or electricity requirements- uses regular electrical outlet

·         Modest staffing requirements/ patients can self-load for home use

·         Ease of portability of chamber for relocation

·         Air-over system means extra oxygen is not required

·         Less depressurization time- relatively quick exit

·         No risk of fire

·        Limited pressure capability

·        Chamber body while durable, is not as durable as stainless steel

·        Chamber materials may cause problems with severely chemically sensitive people

·        Patient isolated during treatment

·        Inability to suction patient

·        Not accessible by gurney for patients with immobility

·        Inability to use some diagnostic and/or therapeutic equipment while patient is in chamber

High Pressure Hyperbaric Advantages

High Pressure Hyperbaric Disadvantages

·         Greater working pressure- allows more flexibility in treatment

·         Durability- chamber often made of stainless steel

·         Stainless steel chamber does not cause problems with chemically sensitive people

·         Constant patient attendance

·         Ability to use a variety of electrically generated signals during therapy

·         Ability to conduct intensive care activities during treatment

·         Gurney systems allow for easy treatment of patients with lack of mobility

·         Insurance reimbursable for certain circumstances

·        Higher capitalization requirements

·        Major space requirements; basement and/or ground floor level limitations

·        Higher operating costs

·        Larger and experienced staffing requirements

·        Risk of decompression sickness in internal personnel

·        Facility fire-associated decompression requirements

·        Significant equipment maintenance and system upkeep requirements

·        Associated fire hazard with pure oxygen environment

·        Risk of oxygen toxicity as well as increased risk of complications from pneumothorax and/or tension pneumothorax and arterial air embolism developing during decompression

·        Permitting requirements by FDA, local health department, and fire marshal

Advantages

Disadvantages

·       No need to renovate facility for oxygen

·       No chance of oxygen toxicity

·       No need for oxygen tank supplier- uses ambient air

·       Little operation costs- uses ambient air

·        Less oxygen absorption

Advantages

Disadvantages

·       Greater percentage of oxygen infused in body

·        Can be a fire hazard

·        Possibility of oxygen toxicity to patient

·        Facility must be renovated

·        Oxygen tanks must be ordered from supplier and delivered

·        Expense of oxygen tanks