My Orthopaedic Surgeon

American College of Hyperbaric Medicine The American College of Hyperbaric Medicine supports the treatment of patients with nonapproved indications only in a research setting using a protocol that has been approved by an Institutional Review Board. The ACHM supports the continued performance of well-designed clinical trials in these areas, especially those that are prospective, randomized, controlled trials. If sufficient data demonstrates that HBO therapy is associated with a favorable risk-benefit ratio for an indication which is not currently on the approved list from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid, the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society or a Commercial Insurance Carrier, the ACHM will endorse the application of hyperbaric therapy for the supported indication. The ACHM does not support the treatment of non-approved conditions for financial gain, without investigational treatment protocols. College members who intentionally mislead the patient or family into believing that hyperbaric therapy is an approved indication or is supported by peer reviewed literature will be dismissed from the College. Acute carbon monoxide intoxication Burns Decompression illness Gas embolism Gas gangrene Acute traumatic peripheral ischemia (when loss of limb function, limb, or life is threatened) Crush injuries and suturing of severed limbs (as in the previous conditions, HBO therapy would be an adjunctive treatment, when loss of function, limb, or life is threatened) Meleney's ulcers Acute peripheral arterial insufficiency ulcers Skin grafts (preparation and preservation of compromised grafts) Chronic refractory osteomyelitis, unresponsive to conventional medical and surgical management Osteoradionecrosis as an adjunct to conventional treatment Soft tissue radionecrosis as an adjunct to conventional treatment Cyanide poisoning Actinomycosis, only as an adjunct to conventional therapy when the disease process is refractory to antibiotics and surgical treatment * Diabetic wounds * Venous stasis ulcers - recommended only if venous surgery, local wounds care, leg elevation, counter pressure support, and skin grafting fails * Decubitus ulcers - with underlying osteomyelitis - a compromised skin flap, or an infected wound * Arterial insufficiency ulcers - which persist after reconstructive surgery has restored large vessel function * Necrotic wounds secondary to brown recluse spider bite * Not in all states