Chamber personnel's use of Nitrox 50 during hyperbaric oxygen treatment: a quality study--research report.
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of using Nitrox 50 as breathing gas during attendance in a multiplace hyperbaric chamber.


METHODS
Paper logs between Jan.-Dec. 2011 were reviewed to analyze nitrogen gas-loading, actual bottom time, total bottom time and surface interval time. With the use of the Norwegian Diving Tables nitrogen gas-loading was converted to Repetitive Group Letters. Symptoms of decompression sickness and health problems related to hyperbaric exposures were registered at weekly staff meetings. The chamber personnel breathed chamber air or Nitrox 50.


RESULTS
1,207 hyperbaric exposures were distributed to five chamber attendants and technicians, 14 doctors, and six nurses. Nitrox 50 was inhaled on 978 occasions (81.0%). Median nitrogen gas-loading after first pressurization complied with Repetitive Group Letter A (range A-E), second to C (range A-F), third to D (range A-F), fourth to E (range C-H), fifth to F (range C-H), and sixth to E (range B-G). No symptoms of decompression sickness were reported (95% CI 0.00-0.33%).


CONCLUSIONS
Breathing Nitrox 50 during repetitive hyperbaric sessions seems to be feasible and safe while meeting high demands in number of treatment sessions and patient flow and with fewer people employed in the hyperbaric unit.
Hyperbaric Unit, Department of Anesthesia, Centre of Head and Orthopedics, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark. Marco.Bo.Hansen.02@regionh.dk
Marco B
MB
Hansen
Tejs
T
Jansen
Michael B
MB
Sifakis
Ole
O
Hyldegaard
Erik C
EC
Jansen
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001273:Atmosphere Exposure Chambers; D003665:Decompression Sickness / Q000517:prevention & control; D003718:Denmark; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D006931:Hyperbaric Oxygenation / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010100:Oxygen / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011446:Prospective Studies; D058028:Research Report; D013997:Time Factors
C041364:nitrox; D009584:Nitrogen; D010100:Oxygen