A European code of good practice for hyperbaric oxygen therapy

Area of Science:

• Hyperbaric Medicine
• Medical Device Safety
• European Regulatory Standards

Background:

• The Working Group "Safety" was established within European COST Action B14 in 2001 to develop safety recommendations for hyperbaric medicine.
• This initiative aimed to harmonize safety practices and align with the European normalization process for hyperbaric chambers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create the European Code of Good Practice for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (ECGP for HBO).
• To establish comprehensive safety guidelines for therapeutic hyperbaric facilities in Europe.

Main Methods:

• Revision of national safety documents from various European countries.
• Incorporation of European Norms, expert experience, and existing safety standards.
• Extensive collaboration with the CEN/BT/TF 127 working on the European Norm prEN 14931.

Main Results:

• The ECGP for HBO covers critical areas: staffing, equipment, gas supply, risk management, and operational procedures.
• The code is designed for compatibility with the European Norm prEN 14931 for hyperbaric therapy chambers.
• It represents a unified European perspective on hyperbaric safety.

Conclusions:

• The ECGP for HBO offers a harmonized European approach to safety in hyperbaric medicine.
• It serves as a crucial reference document for developing national guidelines, regulations, and standards.
• The code promotes consistent and high safety standards for hyperbaric facilities throughout Europe.