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The Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society presents yearly awards to select individuals recognized for their significant contributions to the specialty of undersea and hyperbaric medicine.

2024 Recipients
	The Albert R. Behnke Award Lindell K. Weaver, MD, FUHM This is the premier award of the UHMS. This award is presented at the annual meeting to an individual in recognition of outstanding scientific contributions to advances in the undersea or hyperbaric biomedical field.
	Excellence in Diving Medicine Award Richard Moon, MD, FUHM This award is presented at the annual meeting to an individual UHMS member for an outstanding contribution to teaching, education, science and/or safety in the field of Diving Medicine and related fields.
NO PHOTO	Excellence in Hyperbaric Medicine Award Kevin Hardy, MD This award is presented at the annual meeting to an individual UHMS member in recognition of continued diligence and excellence in the practice of hyperbaric medicine, particularly in areas of basic and clinical research as it might impact patient care.
NO PHOTO	The Young Scientist or Medical Doctor Award William Toppen, MD This award is presented at the annual meeting to an individual UHMS member. It is to recognize the work of a young scientist or medical doctor whose performance is consistently outstanding. The recipient can be either a clinician or researcher practicing in hyperbaric and/or diving medicine and must not be older than 40 years of age.
	The Paul C. Baker Award for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Safety Excellence Award Charles Ramos, BSN, RN CHRN This award is for an Associate Member, in good standing, for outstanding contributions to the advancement of safety in hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Specific attention is given to those who have implemented outstanding hyperbaric safety programs, authored hyperbaric safety publications, developed, or presented on hyperbaric safety related research. The award may be made for a single contribution of great importance or for many contributions over the years.
	Excellence in Critical Care Hyperbaric Medicine Award Marc Pullis, CHT This award is presented at the annual meeting to an Associate member in recognition of all the hyperbaric nurses and hyperbaric technicians that currently spend countless hours on-call as well as dealing with the tragedy and trauma of critical cases in life and death situations worldwide. The specific focus of this award is on the provision of critical care with 24/7 availability, whether in support of commercial or sport diving, undersea medicine, or in the clinical hyperbaric medicine arena. This award is restricted to a nurse or technical staff member from a 24/7 facility.
Fellow of Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine
	Fellow of Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine Pieter-Jan van Ooij, MD, FUHM Recognition as a Fellow of Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine (FUHM) is awarded to individual members of the Society whose professional activities and standing are judged to be worthy of such recognition.
President's Awards
	Best Overall Oral Presentation: Virginie Papadopoulou, PhD C34:First-in-human imaging of venous gas emboli using a capacitive micromachined transducer toward an underwater wearable ultrasound for personalized decompression
	Best Overall Poster Presentation: Clara Sjöblom MSc D52:Increased fat oxidation after combat diver training
	Best Overall Trainee/Resident Oral Presentation: Margot Samson, MD F74:Significant cardiac and thrombotic effects of severe carbon monoxide poisoning: a case series
	Best Overall Trainee/Resident Poster Presentation: Roman Alvarado C38:Decompression Gas Bubble Dynamics in the Spinal Cord of Live Rats

MAKE YOUR NOMINATIONS FOR 2025 by APRIL 15: 11:59 pm ET: CLICK HERE

In June 2024, DAN representatives shared their medical expertise at the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society’s Annual Scientific Meeting (UHMS ASM). In addition to reinforcing DAN’s commitment to enhancing dive safety through research and education, our participation in the conference also honored a partnership that dates back to DAN’s inception.

A Shared History

In 1980, the U.S. military, government agencies, and UHMS established the National Diving Accident Network (NaDAN), now known as DAN, to create a 24/7 emergency hotline for injured divers.

In 1983 DAN hosted its first Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine course, which lives on today through the DAN-UHMS Continuing Medical Education (CME) courses for medical providers. Over the decades, DAN and UHMS have also collaborated to establish guidelines for diving with diabetes and diving with patent foramen ovale (PFO).

As a trusted source of scientific information about hyperbaric and dive medicine, UHMS shares DAN’s commitment to improving the quality and availability of medical care for the diving community worldwide.

UHMS ASM 2024

Held in New Orleans, UHMS ASM 2024 brought together physicians, researchers, and other health care professionals to exchange ideas with the goal of supporting scientific growth and improving outcomes for divers. During the three-day event, DAN staff contributed their expertise through presentations and meetings, including the following.

“Thoracic and Pulmonary Issues in Diving” Session

James Chimiak, MD, Chief Medical Officer at DAN, who co-chairs the UHMS Diving Committee and serves on the UHMS Decompression Illness Adjunctive Therapy Committee, coordinated the “Thoracic and Pulmonary Issues in Diving” pre-course. The session focused on understanding and managing pulmonary health in divers, addressing key respiratory challenges, and sharing expert medical information on thoracic complications, pulmonary barotrauma, and the effects of hyperbaric environments on lung function.

“Shortage of 24/7 Hyperbaric Facilities” Presentation

As a prominent figure in hyperbaric medicine, Dr. Chimiak addressed the limited availability of round-the-clock hyperbaric facilities in his talk, “Shortage of 24/7 Facilities.” His presentation highlighted the importance of accessible, quality hyperbaric care for injured divers and emphasized the need to improve the infrastructure and availability of these facilities for divers around the world.

“Non-Compliant Chambers: Individual Liability, and a Threat to Our Industry” Keynote

UHMS invited Francois Burman, Pr. Eng., MSc, VP of Safety Services at DAN, who serves on the UHMS FDA Liaison Committee and the UHMS Safety Committee, to deliver the Jefferson Davis keynote address. He discussed the risks posed by noncompliant hyperbaric chambers, underscoring the need for compliance with safety standards in the design, manufacture, testing, and certification of hyperbaric chambers — and the importance of awareness among operators to ensure the safety of their facilities.

Diving Medicine Committee Meeting

The UHMS Diving Medicine Committee meeting provided an important platform for discussing progress and challenges in dive medicine. Camilo Saraiva, MD, MBA, Director of Medical and Assistance Services at DAN and a member of the UHMS Diving Committee, along with Frauke Tillmans, PhD, Director of Research at DAN and Member-at-large of the UHMS Board of Directors, participated to represent the interests and welfare of DAN members, and to promote a culture of safety and continuous improvement within the field. The meeting covered recent research, clinical practices, and policy developments.

UHMS STEM Learning Opportunity

DAN was proud to sponsor the UHMS STEM Learning Opportunity. Awarded to high school, college, or university students interested in science, technology, engineering, or math-related careers, the program provides tuition-free admittance to UHMS ASM. STEM scholarship awardees shadow top scientists and physicians in academia and medicine, and complete projects and summaries related to the conference. As co-chair of the UHMS STEM Committee, Tillmans played a key role in organizing the scholarship and conference programming for scholars, as well as the UHMS STEM career breakfast.

In addition to fostering the exchange of scientific knowledge and medical expertise, UHMS ASM 2024 highlighted that collaboration will continue to shape the future of dive safety. Proud of an enduring partnership with UHMS to support divers, DAN was honored to participate in this year’s conference, contributing to a safer and more informed diving community.

Posted on DAN's website July 23, 2024
Visit the DAN website: www.dan.org

As part of a longstanding relationship between the Duke University Medical Center Library & Archives and the Society, UHMS members are able to use the Library’s article request service. UHMS members may request copies of journal articles and book chapters from the Library’s collections for an $8 per article or chapter, a significant discount over ordering directly from publishers. Articles are typically available within 1 to 3 days of request.

UHMS members should first complete an online registration form and create a username and password which will allow them to place and track your requests. It is only necessary to register once. To make a request, members should visit https://illiad.mclibrary.duke.edu.

Information about the service is available at https://guides.mclibrary.duke.edu/uhms/request

Due to licensing restrictions, this service is limited to materials held in the Library’s collections.

For questions, please reach out to Louis Wiethe, Document Delivery and ILL Manager at mcldd@mc.duke.edu or 919-660-1138.

The Baromedical Nurses Association held its general meeting at the UHMS Annual Scientific Meeting in New Orleans in June 2024. The BNA luncheon was well attended, and many joined virtually. Shannon Holland, vice president; Toia Whitacker Picket Jr., director at large; and Tyler Kennet, BNACB, were announced as new members of the BNA board and BNACB (Baromedical Nurses Association Certification Board).

 
The BNA presidential gavel was passed from Dana Winn to Heather Wheaton.

The BNA accepts nominations for its four awards throughout the year, and the winners are announced during the general meeting. The Rising Star Award is presented to a nurse in hyperbaric nursing for less than five years and demonstrates leadership qualities and problem-solving. This year, Susan Baker, APRN at Nebraska Medicine, received the Rising Star Award. Susan is an Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioner. She consistently goes the extra mile for patients, such as coming in on a day off to help a concerned patient with his first treatment. She provides excellent, compassionate orientation for patients. She is always helpful in meeting the department's needs by working extra and helping the staff with the day-to-day tasks to ensure smooth operations.

Susan Baker received the Rising Star Award from Dana Winn, BNA President at ASM.

The Circle of Excellence Award is provided to a non-nurse who exemplifies extraordinary mentoring and/or professional support to promote the mission and vision of hyperbaric nursing. Tonya Manning of Duke received the Circle of Excellence Award. She is the administrative assistant at Duke Hyperbarics and is responsible for scheduling patients, medical students, and visiting physicians in HBO. She is knowledgeable and experienced in maintaining superior relationships with all the patients and staff. She is an extraordinary mentor and supporter of promoting the vision and mission of HBO nursing at Duke. She is always available to answer questions, even after hours or on vacation.

The Diane Norkool Award was created to honor Diane Norkool and her advancements in nursing through her leadership, research contributions, and educational efforts. Individuals eligible for this award must currently serve in hyperbaric nursing or significantly contribute to the field. They must have been a member of the BNA for at least two years.  Kevin Kraft (previous BNA President and Past President) of Duke received the Diane Norkool Award. Kevin is the nurse manager at Duke Hyperbarics and serves on the UHMS Safety Committee. He is involved in HBO research at Duke and has been a presenter for BNA webinars, UHMS meetings, and local events.  Kevin has also served as the BNA President and Past President.

The Laura Josefsen Lifetime Achievement Award honors an individual who has been a member of the BNA for at least ten years, has served on the BNA Board or Committee, and maintains a hyperbaric nursing certification.

This year’s winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award is Annette Gwilliam. She served on the BNA board for many years as President and Sponsorship Chair. She is an extraordinary leader who made the BNA a prosperous and stable entity. She is a frequent presenter at UHMS meetings and Hyperbaric Nurses Day. She is a mentor and encourages nurses to be involved in professional organizations. As the BNA president, she developed programs and ideas to promote HBO nursing recruitment and retention.

Greetings from all of us here at UHMS!

Post-UHMS ASM is always a surreal time for me because we spend so much time and effort planning our Annual Scientific Meeting, and then, in the blink of an eye, it’s over. This year’s meeting in New Orleans was remarkable in many ways. Besides enjoying seeing and spending time with many friends and colleagues, we experienced exceptional attendance, including setting records for the wound care and diving medicine pre-courses. Of the more than 400 in attendance, we were excited to have nearly 150 new attendees to this year’s meeting and almost 100 attendees from 28 countries.

In addition, we appreciate the robust support we received from our exhibitors and sponsors.

I hope you enjoy some of the memories we captured from our experience this year.

Click thumbnails to see all photos larger.

Site of the 2024 UHMS Annual Scientific Meeting at the
Astor Crowne Hotel, New Orleans.

President Pete Witucki and President-Elect Owen O’Neill.

Dr. Caroline Fife was lecturing during the Advances in Wound Management pre-course.

Dr. Marc Robins with Advances in Wound Management pre-course planners: Drs, Scott Robins, and Caroline Fife.

Advances in Wound Management pre-course attendees were learning about contact casting.

Advances in Wound Management pre-course attendees.

Dr. Dick Sadler lecturing at the Thoracic and Pulmonary Issues in Diving pre-course.

Dr. Richard Moon lecturing at the Thoracic and Pulmonary Issues in Diving pre-course.

Dr. Joy Dierks lecturing at the Thoracic and Pulmonary Issues in Diving pre-course

Invited Kindwall Keynote speaker Dr. Jay Buckey on
New and Developing Indications for HBO2.

Invited Davis Keynote speaker Francois Burman on
Non-compliant Chambers: Individual Liability, and a
Threat to Our Industry.

Invited Lambersen Keynote speaker Dr. Sean Hardy
on (Mis)Adventures in The Gulf of Mexico.

Plenary speaker Dr. Sandra Chapman provided an
Executive Summary of the proceedings from the
National Academies Workshop on Undersea Medicine
Research sponsored by ONR.

Dr. Tino Balestra, Vice-President UHMS, is leading the
International Panel of Diving decompression and an
actual view with Dr. Jacek Kot, Jean-Pierre Imbert
and Armin Sidali

Plenary speaker Dr. Nick Bird on Surviving a Medicare Audit: Lessons Learned.

Plenary speaker Dr. Helen Gelly on Surviving a Medicare Audit: Lessons Learned.

UHMS poster session under way.

Drs. Richard Moon, Ian Millar, and Ian Grover
discussing one of UCSD’s posters.

Dr. Marc Robins presented his poster on text alert
notifications and care process monitoring for
CO poisoning.

Catie Costello, UHMS STEM awardee, presented a
poster on the impact of vision change during HBO2.

Dr. Shannon Wheeler presents her work from
UNMC on invasive fungal sinusitis.

Dr. Jacek Kot and Dr. Jay Buckey discuss Dr. Buckey’s
poster on long-term follow-up from the International
Registry for HBO2.

UHMS STEM awardees Luke Brenner and Blake Peters
pose with STEM co-chair Virginie Papadopoulou.

UHMS STEM welcome breakfast sponsored by
Divers Alert Network, Office of Naval Research,
Shearwater, and Wound Care Education Partners

STEM awardees were interviewed throughout the week on their experiences.

Dr. Pete Witucki, UHMS President, and UHMS STEM
Committee co-chairs Drs. Virginie Papadopoulou and
Frauke Tillmans are providing orientation to the STEM awardees.

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Cherished friends exhibiting make the UHMS ASM possible. 
Thanks to all our exhibitors!

The exhibit hall was ground zero for engaging with industry leaders and fueling up for days of learning.

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Thank you, outgoing President Dr. Pete Witucki,
for your years of leadership

Welcome to our incoming President,
Dr. Owen O’Neill.

Outgoing President Dr. Pete Witucki shared his
experiences at the helm before passing the
gavel to incoming President Dr. O’Neill

Incoming President Dr. Owen O’Neill is accepting
the gavel and sharing his vision for the future
of the UHMS for the next two years.

UCSD team members posing before
shaking up the town.

Welcome to the UHMS family: the newly formed
Philippino Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society.

UHMS team members L to R: Lisa Tidd (Meetings and
Membership), Stacy Harmon (CME and Education),
John Peters (Executive Director), Sherrill White-Wolfe
(perennial volunteer), Lora Garret (Derall’s spouse),
Derall Garrett (Hyperbaric Facility Accreditation).

UHMS team members L to R: Stacy Harmon,
Sherrill White-Wolfe, Lisa Tidd, and Lorrie Coté.

Photo bomb: Dr. Tom Neuman crashing in on a
lovely picture of Derall and Lora Garrett.

Motley Crew: L to R Dr. Owen O’Neill, Liz Smykowski,
Dr. Michael Gernhart, Dr. Dave Dayya

Dr. Owen O’Neill posing with Lisa Tidd, Liz Smykowski
and Dr. Heather Murphy-Lavoie.

Dr. Owen O’Neill posing with Sherrill White-Wolfe
and Stacy Harmon.

Dr. Owen O’Neill with his beautiful wife Kim.

Dr. O’Neill posing with Drs. Tracy LeGros and
Heather Murphy-Lavoie.

UHMS team members and JPUHMS
friends enjoying our traditional annual dinner.

Drs. Mahito Kawashima and Takuya Oyaizu with
Executive Director John Peters and his son Blake Peters.

UHMS ED John Peters with the ever-gracious
Dr. Keith Van Meter.

Dr. Norman McCullough, ED John Peters, and
Blake Peters are sharing goodbyes after the ASM.

Old friends: Dr. Michael White, UHMS AMA
RUC Co-Chair, and John and Blake Peters.

UHMS ED John Peters with rock stars
Gus Gustavson, Stacy Harmon, and Derall Garrett.

During the UHMS banquet at the ASM, we asked members to consider giving to the UHMS Research Fund and helping the UHMS secure additional funding to support the International Registry for HBO2, which is currently free to all institutions that participate.

We are happy to share the following individuals who donated to the UHMS during the meeting.

Thank you for your support, and of course, if you raised your hand during the call, we are still accepting contributions.

I also had the pleasure of returning to Nakatsu, Japan, along with Dr. Michael Strauss and Aleksey Sobakin, PhD, to lecture at the 58^th meeting of the Japanese UHMS.

Dr. Masayuki Kawashima did a magnificent job planning and executing a successful and well-attended meeting.

Opening day of the 58^th JUHMS Annual
Meeting in Nakatsu, Japan.

UHMS ED John Peters with good friend
Dr. Takuya Oyaizu.

UHMS ED John Peters, Drs. Mahito Kawashima, Michael Strauss, researcher Aleksey Sobakin,
Sasha, and Elizabeth Sobakin.

Aleksey, Sasha, and Elizabeth Sobakin,
UHMS ED John Peters, Drs. Michael Strauss and Mahito Kawashima and hyperbaric engineer Takashi Yamaguci.

Dr. Michael Strauss and UHMS ED John Peters.

Drs. Michael Strauss and Masayuki Kawashima.

Drs. Masayuki Kawashima and Kazuyushi Yagashita and UHMS ED John Peters.

Drs. Masayuki Kawashima and Shinomiya and
researcher Dr. Aleksey Sobakin.

Group picture at the conference banquet.

Faculty and guests of the 58^th ASM of JUHMS. 

We need your help. The physician, advanced provider, nurse, therapist, and technician should take responsibility for seeking and maintaining certification and completing 12 hours of continuing education annually. Hospitals, management providers, and chamber manufacturers are accountable for supporting and promoting hyperbaric facility accreditation and providing urgent and emergent hyperbaric medicine care for all patients.

This is a call to action for everyone involved in hyperbaric medicine: to get engaged, get educated, get certified, get your facility accredited, and show that you're doing what you claim to do, particularly around delivering optimal outcomes and treating patients of all acuities regardless of payor source.

Please review our position statement on Certification Matters: UHMS POSITION STATEMENT.

The UHMS tent is wide open, so please come in and join us to make our specialty vibrant and viable for generations to come!

UHMS Finances

I am pleased to report that UHMS's Financial position remains strong.

Our balance sheet remains healthy, with operating, savings, and investment accounts continuing to hover at near-all-time highs.

Member Benefits

As a reminder, UHMS members receive three free CE/CME credits upon joining or renewing. This benefit represents an immediate $40 savings for Associate members and $60 for Regular members annually. 

Associate Member Town Hall

Members are invited to attend the UHMS Associate Council town hall meeting on the second Thursday of every quarter, where invited speakers present on relevant topics that apply to our specialty.

Corporate Partners

If you are a UHMS Corporate Partner, please attend our monthly Corporate Partner Town Hall meeting series. These are held on the 1^st Wednesday of every month at 12 PM and are intended to be an open forum for discussing the challenges and successes your businesses and practices are experiencing and to create momentum and collaboration where appropriate.    

If your organization wants to educate the UHMS membership about the care provided or the goods and services offered, consider joining our Corporate Partnership Program. See https://www.uhms.org/corporate-memberships.html.  

MEDFAQs

The UHMS offers its version of "ask the experts." MEDFAQs can be found at the following URL – https://www.uhms.org/resources/medfaqs-frequently-asked-questions-faq.html, and is a valuable tool for our membership.

If you are familiar with MEDFAQs, check back, as new Q&As are posted regularly.

Research

The UHMS Research Committee continues to be very active. We hope to announce some good news in the new year on the IRB front, where members of our community can come to the UHMS for the Institutional Review Board's needs.

We are soliciting donations from our members for two research initiatives. One is the Continuous Glucose Monitor study (https://www.uhms.org/cgm-hyperbaric-oxygen-study), and the Multicenter Registry for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy at Dartmouth (MRHBO₂) continues seeking funds for free hospital membership. The MRHBO2 is funded entirely via grants, not by the registry's participating hospitals - https://www.uhms.org/donate-to-the-multicenter-registry-for-hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy.html.

Remember that donations to the UHMS Funds for Research and Policy Advancement are tax-deductible. For more information, check out the UHMS website –  https://www.uhms.org/funding.html.   

QUARC

To better understand the field's challenges, log in and visit the QUARC page – https://www.uhms.org/resources/quarc.html. Here, you will find impending legislation and other relevant policies on the provision and limitations of HBO₂ coverage and the UHMS's responses and guidance.

The chairs of QUARC are requesting that any unusual denials or challenges with physicians gaining access to insurance panels for HBO2 services, let us know as soon as possible, please – jpeters@uhms.org.

UHM

If you are a UHMS member, we are happy to announce a new search feature for previous issues and articles from UHM/UBR - https://www.uhms.org/publications/uhm-journal/download-uhm-journal-pdfs.html. Currently, the feature works with keywords.

If you have a suggestion or comment on how we can better serve you, please email me at jpeters@uhms.org or call at 561-776-6110 extension 100.

It is my pleasure to serve you and our membership, and I continue to look forward to hearing from you.

John Peters

The annual scientific meeting in New Orleans marked a significant milestone for me as I officially assumed the role of president of the UHMS. It is with great honor and enthusiasm that I address you as the newly inducted president of our esteemed society after the passing of the gavel ceremony at the Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) on June 14^th.   My journey to the position of president has been profoundly shaped by my experiences and the exemplary leadership of our past president, Peter Witucki, MD under whom I had the privilege of serving as president-elect for the past two years.  His dedication and vision have set a high standard, and I am committed to building upon his legacy.

Our Annual Scientific Meeting began with the pre-courses on June 12^th and continued through June 15^th. The meeting was extremely successful, with a record number of attendees and abstract presentations. Feedback from all attendees was phenomenal.  The vibrant discussions, innovative research presentations, and camaraderie among our members at the meeting were truly inspiring. It reaffirmed my belief in the importance of our collective efforts in advancing the field of undersea and hyperbaric medicine.

As I assume my new role, I am both humbled and enthusiastic. I’m eager to continue fostering an environment of collaboration and innovation, ensuring that our society remains at the forefront of medical advancements and evidence-based patient care. Our field is rapidly evolving, and it is essential that we stay adaptable and forward-thinking to meet the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

One of my primary goals is to enhance our educational initiatives, providing more resources and support for seasoned practitioners and those new to our specialty. I also aim to strengthen our national presence, membership, and global presence.  We will continue fostering national and international partnerships that will benefit our members and the communities we serve. This year will also mark a strengthened relationship with the Aerospace Medical Association (AsMA), the association from which our Society was initially born.  We will conduct our ASM in conjunction with AsMA for the next five years, beginning in Atlanta on June 2^nd, 2025.  Our combined meetings with AsMA in the past have been so successful that the UHMS mutually made the decision in conjunction with AsMA board members to combine the meetings. Our previous conjoint meetings have greatly benefitted both societies.

I encourage all physicians, nurses, technologists, researchers, and students, to actively participate in our society's activities and share their insights and expertise. Together, we can make significant strides in our mission to advance the science and practice of undersea and hyperbaric medicine.

Thank you for your trust and support. I look forward to serving as your president and working alongside each of you to continue moving our society forward.

Warm regards,

Owen O’Neill

When the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) published the NFPA 99 Health Care Facilities Code 2024(2023), the designation of Safety Director received two significant updates from prior editions – the addition of "Hyperbaric" and replacing of "Director" with "Coordinator" (NFPA.org).

In NFPA 99 before the 2024 edition, the term Safety Director, used in Chapter 14 – Hyperbaric Facilities, was not consistently preceded by the descriptor "Hyperbaric," meaning that some responsibilities were explicitly assigned to a Safety Director and others to a Hyperbaric Safety Director. It is logical for those in the hyperbaric industry to understand that "hyperbaric" was implied, but not everyone who looks at fire codes would have the same understanding. For example, a hospital-accrediting organization, a hospital's Safety Director, or a Fire Marshal may interrupt the Safety Director to mean the hospital's Safety Director. Therefore, the first change was the addition of "hyperbaric" before each place the term Safety (Director) Coordinator was utilized.

This brings us to the second change – replacing "Director" with "Coordinator." The NFPA Technical Committee on Hyperbaric and Hypobaric Facilities substantiation statement for this change states: The titles "director" and "supervisor" are not appropriate for this position. This person coordinates the facility's safe operation rather than overall management, as implied by the terms "director" or "supervisor."

It is essential to understand that these changes do not mean you must change your title if your job description, employer identification badge, or designation letter has titled you "Safety Director" or "Hyperbaric Safety Director." For confirmation, we will examine what the code states.

From a code perspective, why do we have Hyperbaric Safety Coordinators? Simple – NFPA 99 (2023), section 14.3.1.3.2* states, "For each hyperbaric facility, a hyperbaric safety coordinator shall be designated as responsible for all hyperbaric equipment and the operational safety requirements of this chapter."

Notice the asterisk (*) at the end of the section number. When reading NFPA 99 fire codes, the asterisk indicates that descriptive material can be found in Annex A of the code book. To fully understand the Technical Committee's intent for a person assigned hyperbaric safety responsibilities, we must read the corresponding note in Annex A, which is section A.14.3.1.3.2, and by looking at the annex note, we will answer the question of this article: Safety Director, Hyperbaric Safety Director, or Hyperbaric Safety Coordinator – is there a difference?

Since the annex note is five paragraphs long, for context, let's only look at the passage referencing the hyperbaric safety professional's title: "Regardless of the terminology used for this designee, the intent is for someone to manage the operational responsibilities of this chapter."  This annex note says the person's title is not the critical element; instead, assigning responsibilities per Chapter 14 is essential.

If staff report directly to the hyperbaric safety professional at your facility, then perhaps the title of Hyperbaric Safety Director is appropriate. Without direct reports, the term Coordinator may be a proper title. Is it wrong to use the title Lead Hyperbaric Technologist? Not if the responsibilities written in NFPA 99 (Chapter 14) are assigned to said person. 

When reading NFPA 99, remember that the code is enforceable material, and the annex notes are explanatory comments by the Technical Committee. Please read the annex notes to understand the Technical Committee's intent better.

Hyperbaric Safety Coordinator is used 24 times in NFPA 99 (Chapter 14) (2023). If you are this or employ this person, now is an excellent time to review your designation letter or job description to ensure the safety responsibilities are clearly indicated. Should you need to see the latest edition of the hyperbaric facility codes, NFPA provides a no-cost view option at NFPA.org.

Disclaimer:The author's opinions in this article are his own and do not constitute a formal interpretation of NFPA fire codes.

About the Author: Richard C. Barry, PhD, STS, CHT-ADMIN, is the Vice President of Hyperbarics for Healogics, LLC. He is an active member of the UHMS Safety Committee, ASTM's G04 Committee, NBDHMT Board of Directors, chair of NFPA 53, and the past chair of NFPA 99's Hyperbaric Technical Committee. Dr. Barry's PhD is in Safety Sciences from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

References:

NFPA 99. (2023). NFPA 99 Health care facilities code (2024 ed.). National Fire Protection Association.

NFPA.org. (2024). First Revision No. 989-NFPA 99-2021 [Global Input]. Retrieved from npfa.org/codes-and-standards/nfpa-99-standard-development/99.

To serve as a reminder,

***The UHMS HBO₂ Safety Committee can provide information to help you answer your question. Still, the ultimate responsibility for these questions rests with your facility's Hyperbaric Medical Director (HMD) and Hyperbaric Safety Director/Coordinator (HSD/C).

***This assessment is the opinion of the Hyperbaric Safety Committee and does not constitute product approval. We suggest that the HMD and HSD/C of your facility perform a risk assessment and document your conclusions before treating the patient.

This article delves into the significance of UHMS surveyors and provides a detailed guide on becoming one, with more information on the UHMS website. UHMS surveyors are essential in maintaining the quality and safety of hyperbaric facilities. They perform thorough evaluations to ensure compliance with codes, standards, and guidelines, including assessing equipment, reviewing patient care protocols, and evaluating the facility's overall operational efficiency. Surveyors help patients receive top-quality care in a safe and effective environment through these efforts.

Surveyors play a crucial role in promoting best practices within the hyperbaric community. They provide valuable feedback and recommendations to facilities, helping them to improve their services and operations. This continuous improvement process, fostered by the diligent work of surveyors, cultivates a culture of excellence and innovation within the field, ultimately benefiting healthcare providers and patients.

Accreditation by UHMS is a mark of excellence that signifies a facility’s commitment to quality and safety. Surveyors are integral to the accreditation process, conducting on-site evaluations and providing detailed reports on their findings. Their work supports the accreditation process, ensuring that only facilities that meet the highest standards receive UHMS accreditation.

Physicians and nurses are particularly needed to serve as UHMS surveyors. These medical professionals bring a wealth of clinical experience and expertise to the role, which is invaluable in assessing the complex medical environments of hyperbaric facilities. Their insights help ensure that patient care protocols are rigorous and effective and that safety standards are meticulously upheld.

How to Become a UHMS Surveyor

To become a UHMS surveyor, candidates need a background in hyperbaric medicine. This includes medical professionals such as physicians, nurses, and technicians with extensive experience in hyperbaric medicine. A thorough understanding of codes, standards, and guidelines is also essential.

The UHMS offers training to prospective surveyors. These programs provide knowledge of the UHMS accreditation process, standards, and guidelines. Participants learn how to conduct effective surveys, evaluate facilities, and provide constructive feedback. Upon completing the training program, candidates must fill out and submit additional documents to become a UHMS surveyor.

In addition to technical knowledge and experience, successful UHMS surveyors possess specific professional attributes. These include strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and excellent communication abilities. Surveyors must be able to assess facilities and provide clear, constructive feedback objectively. They should also be able to work independently and as part of a team, demonstrating professionalism and integrity.

UHMS surveyors are essential to the advancement and regulation of hyperbaric medicine. They ensure that facilities adhere to the highest standards of care and safety, promoting best practices within the field. For those interested in becoming a UHMS surveyor, the journey involves gaining relevant experience, completing specialized training, and committing to continuous education. Detailed information on becoming a surveyor can be found on the UHMS website at UHMS Surveyor Information.

Congratulations to these Facilities!

February 2024

Reaccredited:

Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center
Denver, Co

Retreat Doctors’ Hospital
Richmond, VA

March 2024

Reaccredited:

Arnot Ogden Medical Center
Elmira, NY

Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center-Boise
Boise, ID

Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center-Nampa
Nampa, ID

Swedish Medical Center-Englewood
Englewood, CO

April 2024

Reaccredited:

St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center
Fayetteville, NY

*UT Health East Texas*
Tyler, TX

May 2024

Reaccredited:

*Intermountain Logan Regional Hospital*
Logan, UT

*Memorial Hermann Hospital*
Houston, TX

*Saint Luke’s Health System*
Meridian, ID

UPMC Western Maryland
Cumberland, MD 

June 2024

Reaccredited:

Baylor Scott & White Medical Center
Temple, TX

Methodist Charlton Medical Center
Dallas, TX

*UPMC Pinnacle Harrisburg*
Harrisburg, PA

*UPMC Pinnacle West Shore*
Mechanicsburg, PA

WMC Health Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center
Suffern, NY

Westchester Medical Center-Valhalla
Valhalla, NY

* With Distinction*

Outcome data from the Multicenter Registry for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy were well represented at the 2024 UHMS Annual Scientific Meeting this past June in New Orleans. Three poster presentations came from registry data. Additionally, Dr. Jay Buckey, director of the Center for Hyperbaric Medicine at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center and head of the steering committee for the Multicenter Registry, gave the Kindwall Keynote Lecture entitled “New and Developing Indications for Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment.” This presentation included recent analyses of registry data and an overview of the current understanding of the physiologic effects of HBO₂.

Particularly encouraging results were seen in analyses of HBO₂ treatment for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Although IBD (Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis) are not approved indications for HBO₂ treatment, there are growing numbers of published reports that support its effectiveness.  Multicenter Registry data were analyzed from 47 patients with Ulcerative Colitis and 40 with Crohn’s disease.  Both groups showed improvement in inflammatory markers and bowel symptom scores with HBO₂. Improvements in Crohn’s disease cases were particularly encouraging. There were significant improvements in patient-reported health measures (EQ-5D scores) (Figures 1 and 2). These held up to sensitivity analyses to test for bias if patients with missing data were not included in the analyses. Also, patients with Crohn’s disease with complete data reported a decrease in fistula discharge (Figure 3).

Poster presentations highlighting Registry Data included the following:

1. “Multicenter Hyperbaric Outcomes Registry: 2023 Review” by JC Buckey et al. This reviews registered patients and treatment outcomes from 2023, participating centers, treatment indications, and referring specialties.
2. “Improved musculoskeletal pain and range of motion following hyperbaric oxygen treatment for delayed radiation soft tissue injury in two breast cancer patients,” by EM Silverman et al. This was a case series of 2 breast cancer patients treated with HBO2 for painful radiation-induced fibrosis of the chest wall after partial mastectomy and radiation therapy.
3. “Long-term follow-up results for the Multicenter Registry for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy,” by JC Buckey et al. This report describes the ongoing work within the registry to expand longer-term follow-up of patients who undergo HBO2 treatment to assess the durability of benefits, adverse outcomes, and patient satisfaction with treatment.

These studies demonstrate the importance of collaboration between treatment centers to strengthen the power of our data by combining patient populations. By examining and publishing registry data, we can support the need for randomized, controlled studies to expand and improve our use of HBO₂.