The new Department of Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine in K3E, with more capacity and capability for patient treatment, research and training, will open in K-Block on Monday, 4 May 2020.
Tasmania’s new state-of-the-art multiplace, hyperbaric chamber has been designed by Australian experts, with clinical and technical advice every step of the way from the Royal Hobart’s hyperbaric team.
More patients can be treated with hyperbaric oxygen simultaneously in the multiplace chamber which has capacity for up to 10 patients.
There is also a dedicated treatment room for ICU patients who require hyperbaric oxygen treatment.
Patients will enjoy improved amenity in the multiplace chamber with more space, patient entertainment and a private toilet.
Two monoplace chambers are also available for patients who are unable to sit or who cannot tolerate the traditional method of oxygen delivered via a hood or mask.
K3E has more clinical areas with more wound, treatment and consultation rooms.
Hyperbaric oxygen treatment is a well-known treatment for decompression illness and is essential for Tasmania’s commercial and recreational diving industries.
It is also used to treat other conditions that affect many Tasmanians every year - tissue injury from radiation after treatment for cancer, diabetic wounds and serious infections such as gangrene for example.
The chamber has been fitted with dual-capability to pressurise (hyperbaric) and depressurise (hypobaric) and is a first for the southern hemisphere.
Hypobaric chambers are used for aerospace, or altitude research and training to simulate the effects of high altitude on the body, especially hypoxia (low oxygen) and hypobaric (low ambient air pressure).
The dual-capability chamber will create a world-class research facility unique in the southern hemisphere and one of just a few globally; the first with combined capability in the country.
The helipad will be fully commissioned and ready for patients from Wednesday, 6 May 2020.
Fast, dedicated lifts in K-Block will allow retrieval teams to get patients to their treatment areas within minutes.
This is significantly faster than landing at the Cenotaph which required transfer by road ambulance to the hospital.
A third inpatient ward will also open in K9E on Thursday, 7 May 2020.
The orthopaedics and surgical specialties unit will open 25 beds and includes a bariatric room, negative pressure isolation room and state-of-the-art burns bath with best practice air flows in its own designated area.
We are continuing to monitor the COVID-19 situation daily and will remain flexible in the use of health facilities to best meet the health needs of Tasmanians.
The sequence and opening of more wards and services over coming weeks will continue to be reviewed in light of Tasmania’s COVID-19 preparedness.
Background:
The chambers are fitted with televisions for patient entertainment because a patient may need treatment daily for several weeks. The length of each treatment can vary from one and a half hours to several hours.
04 May 2020