Mayo Clinic's approach

Your hyperbaric oxygen therapy at Mayo Clinic is based on your healthcare team getting to know you and understanding your health issues. Together, you'll define a whole-person treatment plan to address your needs.

Types of conditions treated

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is used for three main reasons:

  • Lifesaving. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can save the lives of people who have air bubbles in blood, decompression sickness or carbon monoxide poisoning.
  • Limb saving. It can be an effective treatment for wounds for people at risk of losing a limb or who have had a crush injury.
  • Tissue saving. It can help repair tissue damage caused by burns, help heal muscle and skin grafts, and treat severe infections.

At Mayo Clinic, hyperbaric oxygen therapy is typically delivered in a large, rectangular chamber with up to three times the normal air pressure. While in the chamber, you receive 100% oxygen through a lightweight hood. You are assisted by a nurse who monitors your treatment and condition.

The chamber is equipped with an entertainment system to make your treatment relaxing. The number of treatments you receive depends on your condition.

Expertise and rankings

Expertise

Mayo Clinic's board-certified specialists in undersea and hyperbaric medicine administer thousands of treatments each year. Mayo's program is accredited by the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society in conjunction with The Joint Commission, a nonprofit agency focused on quality care and patient safety in medicine.

State-of-the-art facility

Mayo Clinic has one of the largest hyperbaric oxygen therapy chambers in the United States. It accommodates several people at a time and has provided more than 44,000 therapies since opening its doors in 2008.

Teamwork

Hyperbaric medicine doctors work with experts in many other specialties, including vascular medicine, radiation oncology and reconstructive surgical specialties. This team of specialized experts collaborates on your care.

Locations, travel and lodging

Mayo Clinic has major campuses in Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona; Jacksonville, Florida; and Rochester, Minnesota. The Mayo Clinic Health System has dozens of locations in several states.

For more information on visiting Mayo Clinic, choose your location below:

Costs and insurance

Mayo Clinic works with hundreds of insurance companies and is an in-network provider for millions of people.

In most cases, Mayo Clinic doesn't require a physician referral. Some insurers require referrals or may have additional requirements for certain medical care. All appointments are prioritized on the basis of medical need.

Learn more about appointments at Mayo Clinic.

Please contact your insurance company to verify medical coverage and to obtain any needed authorization prior to your visit. Often, your insurer's customer service number is printed on the back of your insurance card.

More information about billing and insurance:

Mayo Clinic in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota

Mayo Clinic Health System

Dec. 06, 2024
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  3. Bennett JE, et al. Hyperbaric oxygen. In: Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Elsevier; 2020. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed July 23, 2024.
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  6. Health Education & Content Services. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy: Monoplace chamber. Mayo Clinic; 2010.
  7. Division of Public Health, Infectious Diseases and Occupational Medicine. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/infectious-diseases/sections/overview/ovc-20456906. Accessed Aug. 29, 2024.
  8. Accredited facilities. Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society. https://www.uhms.org/accredited-facilities/mayo-clinic.html. Accessed July 16, 2024.
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