(435) 251-1000
Two Campuses
St. George, UtahMap

Dixie Regional Medical Center

Dixie Regional Medical Center
Hyperbaric Medicine

Dixie Regional's Hyperbaric Medicine department began treating patients in our hyperbaric chamber in July 2005. The Hyperbaric Chamber at Dixie Regional Medical Center can treat up to five patients at a time. Patients are always accompanied by a medical attendant while receiving treatment in the chamber. During treatments patients can read or watch movies. A certified hyperbaric technician operates the chamber, with a hyperbaric physician on site at all times. Each treatment lasts approximately two hours and the average patient needs 20 to 40.

What is Hyperbaric Medicine?

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBO) exposes the patient to greater than atmospheric pressure while breathing 100 percent oxygen. This causes a 10-15-fold increase in oxygen dissolved in blood plasma and a 2-3-fold increase in oxygen diffusion distance. This elevation in blood oxygen promotes the repair of injured and diseased tissue and PO2s remain elevated for 2-4 hours after treatment. Our facility commonly uses a treatment pressure of 2.2 atmospheres, which is the equivalent of a scuba dive to 40 feet.

HBO can promote the growth of new blood vessels, salvage and resuscitate damaged or diseased tissue, expedite wound healing, promote collagen synthesis and reduce swelling and inflammation. Restoring or enhancing tissue oxygen levels restores the highly oxygen-dependent neutrophil function resulting in enhanced bacterial killing power. Increased tissue oxygenation also enhances antibiotic transportation across cell walls (aminoglycosides) and can restrict the replication and toxin production of anaerobic bacteria.

The reduction of systemic inflammation caused by decompression sickness, arterial gas embolism, carbon monoxide poisoning and ischemic reperfusion injury, is a key mechanism by which HBO is effective in treating these potentially devastating conditions.

What can be treated with HBO?

The Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society has approved the use of HBO as adjunctive or primary treatment for the following diseases and conditions:

  • Air or Gas Embolism
  • Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
  • Carbon Monoxide Poisoning complicated by Cyanide Poisoning
  • Chronic Refractory Osteomyelitis
  • Clostridial Myositis and Myonecrosis (Gas Gangrene)
  • Crush Injury, Compartment Syndrome and other Acute Ischemias
  • Decompression Sickness
  • Enhancement of healing in Selected Problem Wounds including Wagner III or Greater Diabetic Foot Ulcers and
  • Non-Healing Amputation Sites
  • Exceptional Blood Loss Anemia
  • Intracranial Abscess
  • Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections
  • Delayed Radiation Injury (Soft Tissue and Bony Necrosis)
  • Preparation/Preservation of Compromised Skin Grafts and Flaps
  • Thermal Burns

Is HBO safe?

Hyperbaric oxyegen therapy is safe, painless and effective. Pressure or pain in the ears or sinuses can occur with some patients, and, in very rare instances, requires myringotomy (ear tubes). Our treatment protocols are designed to provide benefit with minimal risk of harm. Hyperbaric Medicine at Dixie Regional is accredited by the Undersea Hyperbaric Medicine Society.

Is HBO for me?

Patients require physician referral prior to consultation. All patients remain under the care of their primary medical and surgical physician while undergoing care. Requests for information or a hyberbaric consultation can be arranged by calling our clinic at: (435) 688-4293.

Dixie Regional Hyperbaric Medicine

544 South 400 East
St. George, UT 84770
Phone: (435) 688-4293

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