Optimizing hyperbaric oxygen therapy in acute burns: The critical role of burns intensivists in patient selection and institutional practice
Pradeoth Mukundan Korambayil, M. R. SreekumarBackground:
The aim of this study is to evaluate the role and potential benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in the management of burns, particularly focusing on its impact on morbidity, mortality, and overall outcomes in burns patients and to emphasize the importance of trained burns intensivists for selecting burns patients in delivering this therapy safely and effectively.
Materials and Methods:
Data of patients admitted in burns intensive care unit in our institution from January 2012 to December 2022 were analyzed. Of 1556 who required hyperbaric oxygen treatment, 482 patients were willing to undergo treatment. They underwent a pre-HBOT session assessment by burns intensivist and fitness to undergo sessions were evaluated. Unfit patients were reevaluated on later stages of treatment.
Results:
Three hundred and fifty-one patients were fit to undergo HBOT during the initial 3 days postburns and 414 patients during 4–10 days. Patients who were unfit initially due to correctable causes were stabilized and later taken up for hyperbaric sessions. Expert assessment of risk benefits of each critically ill burns patients before HBOT by burns intensivist helps to authentically choose the right candidates for treatment.
Conclusion:
Role of burns intensivist is significant in providing hyperbaric oxygen sessions in critically ill burns patient and have the skillsets to manage the complications of both acute burns and hyperbaric oxygen treatment.