Physician Referral Resources | Simcoe Hyperbarics
Simcoe Hyperbarics Clinic

Healthcare Provider & Referral Resources

Clinical criteria, evidence-based indications, and referral pathways for Ontario physicians and surgeons.

How HBOT Works

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is an evidence-based medical treatment recognized by the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) and Health Canada. It involves the systemic delivery of 100% oxygen at pressures greater than 1.4 atmospheres absolute (ATA).

Core Physical Principles

  • Boyle's Law: States that as pressure rises, gas volume shrinks. This helps reduce the size of harmful bubbles in the bloodstream during decompression or embolism events.
  • Henry's Law: Explains that more gas dissolves into a liquid under higher pressure. HBOT uses this to saturate the blood plasma with oxygen, ensuring it reaches tissues even without red blood cells.

Physiological Mechanisms

  • Hyperoxygenation: Elevates plasma oxygen levels up to 15 times, providing immediate life support to oxygen-starved tissues.
  • Neovascularization: Encourages the development of new blood vessel networks in damaged areas by triggering growth factor release.
  • Antimicrobial Activity: Strengthens the body's immune response and directly inhibits the growth of certain dangerous bacteria.
  • Vasoconstriction: Helps control swelling by narrowing blood vessels without compromising the oxygen supply to the tissue.

Contraindications

Absolute Contraindications

  • Untreated Pneumothorax: This condition must be resolved with a chest tube before starting HBOT to avoid the risk of a tension pneumothorax.
  • Specific Medications: Drugs such as Bleomycin, Cisplatin, Doxorubicin, Disulfiram, and Mafenide Acetate (Sulfamylon) are contraindicated due to potential severe toxicity when combined with high-pressure oxygen.

Relative Contraindications

  • Asthma / COPD: Potential for air trapping which may lead to pulmonary barotrauma.
  • Active Infections (URI): Difficulty in equalizing ear pressure can increase the risk of middle ear barotrauma.
  • Seizure History: May increase the likelihood of Central Nervous System (CNS) oxygen toxicity.
  • Claustrophobia: Patients may require mild sedation to ensure comfort during the session.
  • Pregnancy: Typically avoided as a precaution, except in life-threatening cases like carbon monoxide poisoning.

References & Literature

Mayo Clinic

Comprehensive overview of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, including why it's done, risks, and what you can expect.

Read Mayo Clinic Overview

Cleveland Clinic

Detailed information on HBOT treatments, conditions treated, and the science behind hyperbaric medicine.

View Cleveland Clinic Guide

Health Canada

Official medical information and regulatory perspective on Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy from Health Canada.

Read Health Canada Information

Refer a Patient

We accept referrals for all OHIP-approved indications. Please ensure all relevant clinical notes and imaging are included with your referral.

Submit Online ReferralDownload PDF Form

Fax Referrals to: (705) 881-1119

For urgent consultations, please call (705) 302-6540 directly.

OHIP Approved Indications

We accept referrals for the following conditions approved by OHIP:

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