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Hyperbaric Medicine at Virginia Mason Medicine Center

The Center for Hyperbaric Medicine at Virginia Mason Medicine Center in Seattle is home to the only triple-lock multiplace chamber in the entire northwest region of the United States. This chamber is large enough to comfortably stand up in and our patients can relax in comfortable reclining chairs. 

We are also the only facility in the northwest region capable of treating hyperbaric urgencies and emergencies 24/7/365. Our facility is staffed by some of the nation's most experienced and well-trained teams. 

Virginia Mason Medical Center Hyperbaric Medicine Chamber
Virginia Mason Medical Center's triple-lock multiplace chamber.

Board certified experts

Virginia Mason Medical Center has the region’s only hyperbaric center staffed by board-certified physicians in undersea and hyperbaric medicine. Our nurses and techicians are also trained and certified in hyperbaric medicine. 

Facility accreditation

The Center for Hyperbaric Medicine at Virginia Mason Medical Center has held Level 1 with distinction (highest level) accreditation since 2006. The Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) has established criteria for accreditation of hyperbaric treatment facilities designed to ensure safe and clinically appropriate treatments. UHMS accreditation status is accepted by the Joint Commission and represents an independent review of a department’s functions by a team of subject matter experts. 

UHMS logo

Leaders in emergency hyperbaric treatment

Our hyperbaric medicine program is the northwest region’s leader and primary referral center for:

  • Diving accidents / decompression injuries 
  • Iatrogenic air embolism (venous / arterial)
  • Acute carbon monoxide poisoning 
  • Acute retinal artery occlusion

We are the regional backup for the U.S Navy, Coast Guard, and other military services. 

Wide range of services

The Center for Hyperbaric Medicine at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health provides a range of services to include: 

  • Hyperbaric medicine consultations (emergent, urgent, and routine)
  • Dive medical examinations (to include fitness to dive and return to diving examinations) for the following groups. 
  • Commercial (Diver Medical Advisory Council (DMAC)  Level-1 
  • Scientific
  • Public safety
  • Recreational

For recreational examinations, please download and complete the Diver Medical Screen form and bring it with you. 

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) pilot examinations

  • 1st Class
  • 2nd Class
  • 3rd Class

Treatment experience at VMMC

  • At Virginia Mason Medical Center, our routine treatments are approximately two hours in duration, and we request that patients arrive at least 30 minutes before their treatment time to ensure an on-time start. 
  • Each patient will have their own comfortable reclining chair. As the chamber pressurizes, the inside temperature will rise. Once at our treatment pressure, the inside air will be continually cycled, and the temperature will quickly reduce to a very comfortable level. During decompression, the reverse will occur, and the air within the chamber will become cooler. 
  • During the treatment, our patients will wear oxygen hoods, which supply 100% oxygen. 
Virginia Mason Medical Center chamber
Inside view of the chamber at Virginia Mason Medical Center.

Common indications for hyperbaric medicine

Scientifically supported hyperbaric treatments are delivered at pressures between 2.0 to 3.0 ATA, once or twice daily. HBO2 therapy is either the standard independent or adjunctive therapy for many medical conditions which include: 

  • Decompression sickness/arterial gas embolism 
  • Carbon monoxide poisoning 
  • Late radiation tissue injury, which includes radiation cystitis/proctitis/vaginitis and soft tissue injury of the brain, face, neck, chest, and body
  • Osteoradionecrosis – preparation and post-operative support 
  • Diabetic foot wounds (see below for further details)
  • Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss 
  • Acute retinal artery occlusion 
  • Threatened flap/graft
  • Chronic refractory osteomyelitis
  • Avascular necrosis

Most of our patients receive daily treatments for several weeks. Common treatment durations for chronic conditions are 30-40 treatment sessions. Some patients with radiation tissue injury may benefit from as many as 60 total treatments.

For patients

If you have a condition that may be improvd through hyperbaric oxygen therapy, speak with your primary care provider. 

Find a primary care provider

VMMC parking information

For appointments at VMMC, please reivew parking information for the Seattle location.

For referring physicians

If you are a referring physician and have a patient who might benefit from hyperbaric oxygen therapy, please review and use our Hyperbaric Medicine Guide and referral request form.  To submit the referral request form, please email the form to: [email protected]. For questions or more information, please contact us at 206-583-6543.

Proven results for chronic radiation tissue injuries

Our physicians published a study of patients treated at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health for chronic radiation tissue injuries have had positive outcomes. These results were published in Cancer.

Contact us

To reach the Center for Hyperbaric Medicine at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health – Seattle: