Hyperbaric Centres: Facility Consumables for Oxygen Sessions

A wound care patient settles into the hyperbaric chamber for a 90-minute session at 2.4 ATA. Inside the chamber, the patient wears clean cotton clothing, and outside, the clinical team monitors the session. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) centres treat chronic wounds, radiation injuries, and other conditions with pressurised oxygen — and their consumables follow a different logic than a standard clinic.

Because the chamber environment is pressurised and oxygen-rich, materials inside must be fire-safe, and the supplies around the chamber must support patient prep, wound care, and emergency response. This guide covers what Canadian hyperbaric facilities keep on the consumables cart.

Patient preparation supplies

Before entering the chamber, patients remove items that could be a fire hazard in an oxygen-rich environment — lotions, oils, and synthetic fabrics. Facilities provide clean cotton gowns or clothing and towels for the session. Some patients require skin checks before treatment, especially those with compromised skin from radiation therapy or diabetes.

Disposable underpads or sheets protect the chamber mattress between patients. Using a clean barrier for each session keeps the chamber interior manageable between deeper cleanings.

Gloves for wound care before and after sessions

Many HBOT patients are in the chamber for wound healing — diabetic foot ulcers, surgical wounds, radiation injuries. The wound is typically assessed, cleaned, and dressed before the session. Gloves are essential for these tasks and for any dressing change after the session.

Powder-free nitrile examination gloves are the standard for wound assessment and dressing work. Staff should have them at the wound care station, the prep area, and the chamber-side emergency cart.

Dressings and wound care consumables

The wound care component of a hyperbaric programme drives a steady need for sterile dressings. Sterile gauze sponges are used for cleaning and as a contact layer, and medical tape secures the dressing. Facilities that treat complex wounds also stock advanced dressings recommended by the treating clinician.

Because many HBOT patients have reduced healing capacity, the dressing chosen matters. The centre follows the prescription of the wound care physician rather than defaulting to one product for all patients.

Skin prep and monitoring consumables

Some HBOT programmes include blood glucose monitoring before sessions because patients with diabetes may experience shifts in glucose during pressurisation. Alcohol prep pads clean the fingerstick site, and individually wrapped alcohol prep pads also support skin cleaning before electrode placement or minor procedures.

Chamber-side monitoring uses pulse oximetry, blood pressure cuffs, and communication systems. Single-use probe covers and hygiene barriers keep monitoring equipment clean between patients.

Emergency preparedness inside the chamber

Hyperbaric facilities train for rare events inside the chamber: a patient in distress, oxygen toxicity symptoms, or a fire emergency. Emergency supplies inside or immediately accessible to the chamber include water for hydration, a fire suppression system, and a means to communicate. Facilities follow the safety standards of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society and applicable Canadian codes for chamber operation.

Infection control around the chamber

Between patients, the chamber interior and the prep area are cleaned according to the facility's infection control protocol. Hospital-grade disinfectant wipes clean hard surfaces, chamber seats, and monitoring equipment. Because the chamber is a confined space, ventilation between sessions and routine disinfection protect the next patient and the staff who enter the chamber.

Medical devices used in the facility — gloves, dressings, prep pads — are regulated by Health Canada under the Medical Devices Regulations. Facilities should source from licensed suppliers to maintain traceability.

Related Reading

• Wound care and clinical disposables for facility use
• How antimicrobial silver dressings work
• Foam vs gauze dressing selection for clinical practice

Frequently Asked Questions

What supplies does a hyperbaric facility need for each session?

Clean patient clothing or gowns, underpads for the chamber mattress, gloves for wound care, and the dressings and prep supplies required by the patient's treatment plan. Monitoring supplies support safety checks before and during the session.

Why can't patients wear lotions into a hyperbaric chamber?

Oils, lotions, and alcohol-based products are fire hazards in an oxygen-enriched, pressurised environment. Facilities require patients to remove these products and wear clean cotton clothing for the session.

Are hyperbaric facilities regulated in Canada?

Chamber operation follows applicable Canadian codes and the safety standards of organisations such as the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society. Facilities should also meet provincial health care licensing expectations for the services they provide.

Do HBOT patients need glucose monitoring?

Patients with diabetes may experience blood glucose changes during pressurised oxygen sessions, so many facilities check glucose before treatment. Alcohol prep pads and single-use lancing supplies support this check.

Last updated: 2026-09-09. CliniEco Medical is a licensed medical device establishment (MDEL #35334).