[abstract] MODIFICATIONS TO THE SECHRIST MONOPLACE HYPERBARIC CHAMBER: AN EIGHT YEAR REVIEW

Abstract

BACKGROUND: To avoid redundancy in monoplace chamber modifications, we would like to review features we have added to ours. Many people are new to the field of hyperbaric medicine and are unaware of some of the modifications previously presented. Because of clinical needs, adaptations to existing equipment an development of new equipment has been implemented by the Hyperbaric Medicine Department. METHODS: The modifications for LDS Hospital's two Sechrist Monoplace Hyperbaric Chambers were developed to meet special needs to treat particular patients. Hospital resources and contracted machine shops fabricated parts as required. RESULTS: Chamber Ventilator Accessories / Equipment: - adjustable exhaust flow valve (75-400 LPM) - adjustable suction system - connections of exhaust to outside of building - develop a more durable TCM cable - device for television channel / volume controls - validation of accuracy of arterial blood gases - connections for air/ O2 manifold bank to ventilators - development of non-invasive blood pressure monitoring - regulator with gauge to adjust ventilator supply pressure - continuous monitoring of arterial O2 tension by Continucath - console to switch chamber and/ or ventilator gas to air - calibration of a spirometer used during mechanical or O2 ventilation - modification to Sechrist 500A ventilator permitting air - method of maintaining a stable reference for performing or O2 use invasive pressure monitoring Pass-Throughs: - method of arterial blood sampling - ECG and invasive pressure monitoring - methods of passing up to 13 separate IV lines into the chamber - use of the Swan-Ganz catheter to perform complete cardiovascular monitoring / oximetry - special pass-through permitting ventilator air / O2 supply plus three of the following: venturi, gas sample line, POET end tidal CO2 monitor, non-invasive blood pressure monitoring, digital pressure gauge, ventilator montor (TAU by Core-M), or others CONCLUSION: These modifications have enabled us to treat critically ill patients more safely and to permit inquiry into clinical research. Most of the modifications at LDS Hospital have been published in either Hyperbaric Medicine Practice (1) or in the journals of Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine or Undersea Biomedical Research. There are many different ways to accomplish the same tasks. Some of our modifications are used constantly, others intermittently. All have performed satisfactorily. Weaver LK. "Management of critically ill patients in the monoplace hyperbaric chamber." In: Kindwall EP, ed. Hyperbaric Medicine Practice. Flagstaff, AZ: Best Publishing Co., 1994:173-246.