Emergency use of monoplace hyperbaric chamber to treat two patients simultaneously

Abstract

Objective: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) chambers are classified as monoplace chambers accommodating one patient and multiplace chambers capable of treating multiple patients simultaneously.

Patient and Methods: A 68-year-old woman and her 42-year-old daughter began baking bread in an oven at a bakery. One hour later, they developed headaches and dizziness but continued baking and subsequently experienced difficulty moving. They were discovered later by family members and transported to our hospital by ambulance. Upon arrival, the mother’s and daughter’s carboxyhemoglobin (CO-Hb) levels were 22.6% and 15.6%, respectively. Transfer to the multiplace hyperbaric chamber facility would have taken approximately 90 minutes by emergency vehicle; therefore, both were treated simultaneously in the monoplace hyperbaric chamber in our facility.

Results: After HBOT, both women’s symptoms resolved and CO-Hb levels decreased to 1.4%. The mother, who experienced more severe symptoms, was admitted to the hospital and discharged the following day.

Conclusions: This case involved simultaneously performing HBOT in two patients with acute carbon monoxide poisoning using the monoplace hyperbaric chamber as an emergency measure; the treatment was completed without issue. When treating two patients using a monoplace hyperbaric chamber, close physical contact is necessary, and realistically, treatment would be difficult unless the patients are relatives.