The Life Support Technologies Group (LST) Conducted its 29th Accredited “Introduction to Hyperbaric Medicine” Course for Health Care Professionals
Tarrytown, NY (PRWEB) October 25, 2014 -- The Life Support Technologies group (LST) has successfully taught its 29th “Introduction to Hyperbaric Medicine” course, October 17-21, 2014, 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 hospital partner facilities.
Next year’s course dates and venues at LST partner medical facilities are: February 27 – March 3, 2015 at Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, NY; April 24-28, 2015 at St. Francis Hospital & Medical Center, Hartford, CT; June 5-9, 2015 at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center, Suffern, NY; October 16-20, 2015 at Nassau University Medical Center, East Meadow, NY.
Forty attendees successfully completed an intensive 5-day “Introduction to Hyperbaric Medicine” course, October 17-21, 2014, at the LST Partner facility, Winthrop University Hospital, Mineola, NY. Course attendees came primarily from the CT-NY-NJ Tri-State area; one attendee travelled from the South American nation of Ecuador. The well-rounded group of course participants included Physicians, Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, Nurses, Respiratory Therapists, Paramedics, and Emergency Medical Technicians. Core course faculty include: Glenn J. Butler, CEO; Edward Golembe, M.D.; Scott Gorenstein, M.D.; Jody C. DiGiacomo, M.D., Donovan T. Rosas, M.D.; David Charash, D.O.; Jay G. Levine, D.P.M.; Mark Chipps, CHT; Michael Merrow, CHT, and Training Director Bernie Chowdhury, CHT; all of whom are Hyperbaric Board certified.
Hyperbaric Medical treatment involves putting a patient in a specially designed 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.
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.
The first LST course was developed by 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. Dr. Kindwall’s contributions to LST and to its educational programs are considerable.
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)
https://www.asme.org/
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
http://www.cms.gov
National Board of Diving & Hyperbaric Medical Technology (NDBHMT)
Undersea & Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS)
http://membership.uhms.org/
About the Life Support Technologies Group (LST)
The Life Support Technologies Group (LST) is a Tarrytown, NY-based medical and life-support 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 20 years and currently provides services to 9 hospitals.
Glenn Butler, CEO
Life Support Technologies Group
(914) 333-8412
http://www.lifesupport-USA.com
Gerry Koinig, Life Support Technologies Group, http://www.lifesupport-USA.com, +1 (914) 333-8412, [email protected]
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