Hyperbaric oxygen treatment in Alberta

Mitton C, Hailey D
Record ID 31998008642
English
Authors' objectives: To provide information to health authorities and others on the available evidence on effectiveness of HBOT and the possible economic impact on health care should a second HBO facility be established in the province.
Authors' results and conclusions: Good evidence of effectiveness exists for HBOT of severe carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning; osteoradionecrosis - mandible; diabetic leg ulcers; and gas gangrene. In addition, HBOT is established as the standard of care for decompression sickness and air or gas embolism. Evidence on HBOT soft tissue radiation injuries and necrotizing soft tissue infections appears insufficient to support its routine use for these conditions. The available evidence does not support the routine use of HBOT for refractory osteomyelitis; thermal burns; compromised skin grafts / flaps; exceptional blood loss anemia; or ischemic traumatic peripheral injuries An additional 59-87 patients/ year with conditions for which there is good evidence of benefit from HBOT would be eligible for such treatment if a facility were established in Calgary. There would be significant benefits through improvement in quality of life of 30-60 persons per year who are unable to travel to Edmonton for HBOT. However, there would still be access difficulties for such patients in Southern Alberta who do not live in or near Calgary and who are reluctant to travel.
Authors' recommendations: On the basis of the available evidence on costs and benefits to routine health care, there does not seem to be a particularly strong case for establishing a second HBOT centre in Alberta. Other perspectives on the technology will depend on the weight given to quality of life issues and to anecdotal evidence of effectiveness.
Authors' methods: Systematic review
Details
Project Status: Completed
Year Published: 1998
English language abstract: An English language summary is available
Publication Type: Not Assigned
Country: Canada
MeSH Terms
  • Costs and Cost Analysis
  • Hyperbaric Oxygenation
  • Treatment Outcome
Contact
Organisation Name: Institute of Health Economics
Contact Address: 1200, 10405 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T5J 3N4. Tel: +1 780 448 4881; Fax: +1 780 448 0018;
Contact Name: djuzwishin@ihe.ca
Contact Email: djuzwishin@ihe.ca
Copyright: <p>Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research</p>
This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA or other HTA producer. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.