The Ministry of Health and Social Solidarity of the Hellenic Republic, following an expert opinion from the Central Health Council, issued a Ministerial Act in 2010 (Υ4α/οικ. 27504 // 04/03/2010), concerning the “Determination of Approved Indications of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy & Cost of Therapy”, that includes:
1. Acute or Emergency Indicated Conditions, where HBO Therapy is expected to have a positive impact on survival or to prevent permanent organ damage. These include
• Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
• Decompression Sickness
• Gas Embolism
• Necrotizing (anaerobic) Infections
• Mixed Soft Tissue Infections in Immunocompromised Patients
• Crush Injury & Compartment Syndrome
• Burns
• Cases treated at ICUs or Surgical Departments that show acute tissue hypoxia, timely provision of HBO Therapy is expected to affect outcome significantly as well as prevent from functional deficiency eg Reperfusion Injury
• Sudden Deafness
2. Chronic Indicated Conditions, where HBO Therapy enhances immune and healing mechanisms of the tissues, when Oxygen transport to the tissues is inadequate:
• Lower Extremities Diabetic Ulcers
• Chronic Refractory Osteomyelitis
• Compromised Skin Grafts & Flaps
• Delayed Radiation Injury (Soft Tissue and Bony Necrosis)
• Post-radiation Cystitis
• Lower Extremities Peripheral Vascular Occlusive Disease (non-surgical)
• Problem wounds – Chronic Ulcers
• Deficient Callus Formation – Insufficient Bone Repair