The best possible use of equipment and services must be guaranteed by a Hyperbaric Centre. The Hyperbaric Centre's operation can be either continuous (24-hours a day), or intermittently during prearranged times. The Hyperbaric Centre may be either a hospital or an independent Centre depending on its technical availability and location.
The hospital Hyperbaric Centre must provide 24-hour assistance and be able to treat all types of illnesses, even those that require critical care within the Chamber. The work hours of a self-governing Hyperbaric Centre may be restricted to patients who are not in an emergency. It must be functionally related or in close contact with a hospital. If a transportable hyperbaric chamber will be used, the staff, schedules, and regulations will be identical to a self-standing center.
These facilities have specific staff requirements that must be met. This study aims to determine the type of staff required by the Hyperbaric Centre and to give some guidelines for each situation. The minimum personal requirements for a Hyperbaric Centre are discussed in the last items.
A variety of colleagues with similar or similar education and backgrounds complement the main Medical Director's functions. The Medical Director can delegate certain responsibilities but is always in control. A few people won't be enough to provide 24-hour service. The long stays in the Chamber (when a multiplace facility has been used) render them unable to undergo further decompressions during the day. It would be possible to have a whole team of hyperbaric medical personnel working in shifts.
It is important to define the training goals for each job about the expected competencies from the incumbent. Many jobs in diving and hyperbaric medical have similar tasks and objectives. It is possible to optimize the educational program's efficiency and avoid overlap by using a modular structure.
A course cannot give you the experience required to be an expert. These are the essentials. A candidate must be an accredited specialist or equivalent. Except for countries with equivalent or higher standards, candidates who want to be recognized as experts or consultants should send their curriculum directly to the national coordinator (representing the Joint Medical Subcommittee) who will then decide based on the agreed standards. The national coordinator will inform the Joint Medical Subcommittee and, if necessary, can issue a list with experts. The future verification of qualifications will be done either by the national health authority (EU legislation) or by a scientific body. It is hoped that the standards will be recognized by the others so that they can assume the role of national coordinator.
A continuous education program should be undertaken by the Medical Director about the main topics of Hyperbaric and Underwater Medicine. Participation in courses, workshops, and conferences organized by International Societies, such as the European and Baromedical Society, the Foundation for the International Congress on Hyperbaric Medicine, and the Undersea & Hyperbaric Medical Society, or other courses approved by the ECHM could be sufficient.
Each Hyperbaric Centre should have a permanent Medical director, who can be part- or full-time dedicated depending on the Centre's characteristics. This will be complemented by a variety of other collaborators with similar or similar education and backgrounds. A hospital center that treats patients in an emergency will likely require more than three doctors.
In multiplace chambers, patients must always be under the supervision and control of trained personnel. A doctor or nurse will be present for critical patients. Some patients do not require such direct, special medical, or nursing assistance. In these cases, a specially trained staff member, even if they are not highly qualified, may be sufficient.
Each Hyperbaric Centre, whether it is a hospital or self-standing Hyperbaric Centre, should have a permanent team consisting of an Attendant. The level of dedication required by each Centre will vary depending on its needs. A team of two or three people is not enough to provide 24-hour service. The long stays they have to endure in the Chamber (if it's multiplace) make them ineligible for further decompressions during the day. Monoplace chambers can be used without attendants. All functions of attendants are performed externally by doctors, nurses, and hyperbaric specialists.
Hyperbaric Facilities can reach a very high level of sophistication and will require special attention. Some special devices can be used to manipulate the Hyperbaric Chamber, air compressors, and other pressurized gases sources or gas reserves. Sometimes, nurses and doctors can handle monoplace chambers. The Hyperbaric Centre must be able to handle multiplace chambers. These tasks should be performed by qualified chamber operators.
Divers may be able to access certain degrees that are suited for the activities of chamber operators through off-shore or dive centers. This condition is not essential until the European Community creates a specific level for chamber operators. An appropriate degree in professional diving will include a specialization in hyperbaric systems, facilities, and systems.
The Continuous Education requirement for hyperbaric operators will be to keep abreast of the latest developments in the field and decompression theory. They should be kept up-to-date on all aspects of diseases that can be treated in the chamber. It is recommended that he maintains regular contact with other Centres of expertise.
Chamber Operators are responsible for the operation of the Multiplace Hyperbaric Chamber. Their presence in any hospital or self-standing Multiplace Hyperbaric Centres is essential. It is, therefore, necessary to have a permanent Chamber Operator who can dedicate a portion or all of their time depending on the Centre's needs. Their services are appreciated in monoplace facilities. However, they can also be attributed to other types of trained personnel.
The Hyperbaric Centre requires specialized technical staff to control the chamber, pneumatic circuits, and gas or compressed air reserves. They will also be responsible for the operation of air compressors and other technical components.
It may be difficult to find diving specialists or hyperbaric experts in certain areas. A high-pressure technician and technical staff at a hospital will often be able to adapt their knowledge after receiving additional instruction in pneumatics or high pressure.
In the countries where these degrees are available, the Hyperbaric Technician must either have an official degree with specialty or a specific degree in Hyperbaric technology. It is not appropriate to entrust this activity to firms or individuals who, while experienced, may not be legally able to provide warranties and take responsibility in the event of a disfunction, emergency, or catastrophe.
A Hyperbaric Medical Centre may be open to other professionals of different qualifications. This depends on the particular characteristics of the hospital or institution it is located. These professionals' activities do not have any special characteristics or modifications because they are performed in a hyperbaric center. Their duties and background will also be the same as usual. This document will not detail their requirements, background, dedication, and functions. These conditions will be the same as for other jobs or places.
Sources:
https://www.uhms.org/a7860_/jhvod/930
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