The Life Support Technologies Group (LST) Conducted its 30th Accredited “Introduction to Hyperbaric Medicine” Course for Health Care Professionals
Tarrytown, NY (PRWEB) March 26, 2015 -- The Life Support Technologies group (LST) has conducted its 30th “Introduction to Hyperbaric Medicine” course, which is accredited by both the Undersea & Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) and the National Board of Diving & Hyperbaric Medical Technology (NDBHMT). LST provides the 40-hour course 4 times a year at several of its 10 hospital partner facilities around the NY tri-state region; registration is available on-line at: http://www.lifesupport-USA.com.
Thirty-eight attendees successfully completed the intensive 40-hour “Introduction to Hyperbaric Medicine” course, February 17 – March 3, 2015, at the LST Partner facility, Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, NY. Course attendees came from the CT-NY-NJ Tri-State area. The well-rounded group of course participants included Physicians, Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, Registered Nurses, Respiratory Therapists, Paramedics, and Emergency Medical Technicians. Core course faculty include: Glenn J. Butler, CEO; Edward Golembe, M.D.; Scott Gorenstein, M.D.;, Donovan T. Rosas, M.D.; David Charash, D.O.; Jay G. Levine, D.P.M.; Mark Chipps, CHT, EMT; Michael Merrow, CHT, EMT, and Training Director Bernie Chowdhury, BA, CHT; all of whom are Hyperbaric Board certified.
The first LST course was developed in partnership with the late Eric P. Kindwall, M.D., author of several prominent books that continue to be used for medical training. Considered by many to be the “Father of Hyperbaric Medicine,” Dr. Kindwall was the developer and Director of courses presented by LST until 2008; his contributions to LST and to its educational programs are considerable.
Glenn Butler, LST’s founder and CEO, remarked, “We’re honored to have reached this milestone of having conducted our 30th accredited hyperbaric medicine course. Our current program has been constantly upgraded over the years to reflect the latest practices, research and knowledge in the fields of hyperbaric medicine and wound care. I think Dr. Kindwall would be proud of how we’ve built on his educational foundation.”
LST’s remaining three hyperbaric courses in 2015 are scheduled as follows: Saint Francis Hospital & Medical Center, Hartford, CT, April 24-28; Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center, Suffern, NY, June 5-9; Nassau University Medical Center, East Meadow, NY, Oct 16-20.
Hyperbaric Medical treatment involves putting a patient in a specially designed pressure vessel known as a hyperbaric chamber that can be pressurized greater than atmospheric pressure. The patient breathes 100% oxygen while under increased pressure. Monoplace hyperbaric chambers are the most common and are designed to treat one patient at a time. Multiplace chambers are purpose-built and can accommodate as many patients as they are built for. Hyperbaric chamber construction standards are established and published by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Pressure Vessel for Human Occupancy (PVHO) Committee. Standards for in-hospital use of high-pressure oxygen and other gases, and for all aspects of safety regarding in-hospital use of hyperbaric chambers are covered by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) in their manual titled NPFA-99: Health Care Facilities Code.
Currently, in the United States, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approve hyperbaric treatment for fifteen (15) medical indications. Most commercial insurance carriers follow CMS guidelines for hyperbaric treatment reimbursement. Conditions covered by CMS include: acute carbon monoxide intoxication; decompression illness; gas embolism; gas gangrene; acute traumatic peripheral ischemia; crush injuries and suturing of severed limbs; progressive necrotizing infections (necrotizing fasciitis); acute peripheral arterial insufficiency; preparation and preservation of compromised skin grafts (not for primary management of wounds); chronic refractory osteomyelitis, unresponsive to conventional medical and surgical management; osteoradionecrosis as an adjunct to conventional treatment; soft tissue radionecrosis as an adjunct to conventional treatment; cyanide poisoning; actinomycosis, only as an adjunct to conventional therapy when the disease process is refractory to antibiotics and surgical treatment; diabetic wounds of the lower extremities in patients who meet certain criteria.
The LST course meets the new CMS-mandated educational guidelines for hyperbaric education; it provides the foundation for Physicians, Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, Nurses, Respiratory Therapists, Paramedics, Emergency Medical Technicians, Hyperbaric Technicians, and other clinical professional who are either working in, or planning to enter, the field of Hyperbaric Medicine. The course is a pathway toward achieving professional certification in this growing field.
The Undersea & Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) is the primary source of scientific information for diving and hyperbaric medicine physiology worldwide and functions as the governing body for the industry. Organizations that present UHMS approved courses are rigorously screened and must adhere to strict guidelines and standards.
Physicians (MD and DO) who attend and participate in the entire course are awarded 40 Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits, which are granted by the UHMS. Allied health professionals (including those who are DPM, PhD, NP, PA, EMT, Paramedic, RN, LPN, RT, RRT) who attend and participate in the entire course are awarded 40 Continuing Education Units (CEU), which are granted by the NBDHMT.
For more information see:
American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
http://www.asme.org
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
http://www.cms.gov
National Board of Diving & Hyperbaric Medical Technology (NDBHMT)
http://www.nbdhmt.org
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
http://www.nfpa.org
Undersea & Hyperbaric Medical Society
http://www.uhms.org
About the Life Support Technologies Group (LST)
http://www.lifesupport-USA.com
The Life Support Technologies Group (LST) is a Tarrytown, NY-based medical and life-support / life-safety engineering company specializing in Advanced Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine Services to hospitals in the NY-NJ-CT region. LST has been in business for over 20 years and currently provides services to 10 hospitals; clients also include NASA and the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).
Glenn Butler, CEO
Life Support Technologies Group
(914) 333-8412
Gerry Koinig, Life Support Technologies Group, http://www.lifesupport-USA.com, +1 (914) 333-8412, [email protected]
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