Hyperbaric nursing

Hyperbaric nursing is a nursing specialty involved in the care of patients receiving hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The National Board of Diving and Hyperbaric Medical Technology offers certification in hyperbaric nursing as a Certified Hyperbaric Registered Nurse (CHRN). The professional nursing organization for hyperbaric nursing is the Baromedical Nurses Association.

Hyperbaric nurses are responsible for administering hyperbaric oxygen therapy to patientss and supervising them throughout the treatment. These nurses must work under a supervising physician trained in hyperbaric medicine who is available during the treatment in case of emergency. Hyperbaric nurses either join the patient inside the multiplace hyperbaric oxygen therapy chamber or operate the equipment from outside of the monoplace hyperbaric oxygen therapy chamber, monitoring for adverse reactions to the treatment. Patients can experience adverse reactions to the hyperbaric oxygen therapy such as oxygen toxicity, hypoglycemia, anxiety, barotrauma, or pneumothorax. The nurse must know how to handle each adverse event appropriately. The most common adverse effect is middle ear barotrauma, injury to the middle ear due to pressure not being equalised during compression. Since hyperbaric oxygen therapy is usually administered daily for a set number of treatments, adverse effects must be prevented for the patient to receive all scheduled treatments. The hyperbaric nurse will collaborate with the patient's physician to determine if hyperbaric oxygen therapy is appropriate. The nurse must know all approved indications that warrant hyperbaric oxygen therapy treatments, along with contraindications to the treatment.