title: Decision process to assess medical equipment for hyperbaric use.
abstract: There are very few items of medical equipment specifically designed for hyperbaric use; and little information is available about medical equipment already tested for hyperbaric use. Hyperbaricists are usually left to their own devices in making a determination about the safe and effective use of standard medical equipment in the hyperbaric setting. This article proposes a logical and systematic process to arrive at this determination. The process involves seven steps beginning with a need assessment and ending with endorsement by appropriate individuals. The discussion of decision steps includes identifying risk elements, compliance with safety standards, testing, and documentation.
authors.affiliation: DAN Southern Africa, Cape Town, South Africa.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Burman
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sheffield
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Posey
mesh_terms: D003657:Decision Making; D003663:Decision Trees; D004282:Documentation; D004867:Equipment Design / Q000592:standards; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis / Q000592:standards; D004869:Equipment Safety; D004864:Equipment and Supplies / Q000592:standards; D005390:Fires / Q000517:prevention & control; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006931:Hyperbaric Oxygenation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011312:Pressure