Monthly Briefing October 2025

This month’s Briefing is prompted by reports that some hyperbaric medicine facilities have been operating without readily available physician provider presence. While commonly associated with private free-standing clinics the National Board has learned that this practice quality shortfall, patient safety threat and compliance failure has extended to some hospital-based settings. Of relevance here, and according to Michigan’s Attorney General Dana Nessel, the absence of onsite physician presence was considered contributory to the January 31, 2025, fatal hyperbaric chamber fire.

The five (5) minute response time for hospital-based hyperbaric facilities is based on the same period noted in a  number of Medicare Administrative Contractor Local Coverage Determinations. It now represents a National Board expectation for safe and effective support of the certified hyperbaric technologist.

CHTs are reminded that adherence to the National Board’s Position Statements ensures compliance with their CHT Code of Conduct attestation. Please share this most recent National Board position with program leadership, colleagues and team members to further promote operational safety and compliance.

Dick Clarke, President

National Board of Diving & Hyperbaric Medical Technology

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Physician attendance and supervision of Certified Hyperbaric Technologists (2025-1) October 2025

It is the position of the National Board of Diving & Hyperbaric Medical Technology that a hyperbaric medicine trained provider (MD/DO/NP/PA) must be immediately available to personally attend and support the certified hyperbaric technologist (CHT) during hyperbaric chamber operations. For hospital-based facilities, availability may be consistent with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) expectations for hyperbaric physician supervision, whereby the provider does not have to remain in the hyperbaric facility throughout the treatment but must be able to arrive within five (5) minutes of being summoned. In this situation, the hyperbaric provider cannot be involved with a patient elsewhere that may cause them harm if immediately abandoned. For non-hospital based/private hyperbaric medicine practice, the provider must remain physically present within the office/clinical facility throughout the time the CHT is operating the chamber.