Since 1983
Advancing Hyperbaric Medicine
Physician-Led
Multidisciplinary Community
Evidence-Based
Education • Safety • Professional Excellence
Advancing Hyperbaric Medicine
Multidisciplinary Community
Education • Safety • Professional Excellence
Contact: American College of Hyperbaric Medicine
Email: admin@achm.org
Website: ACHM.org
Facility-level accreditation program focuses on patient safety, clinical standards, team competency, and operational preparedness in hyperbaric care.
WEST ALLIS, WI – NOVEMBER 17, 2023 — The American College of Hyperbaric Medicine (ACHM) has launched the Clinical Hyperbaric Safety Certificate of Added Qualification (CAQ), a facility-level accreditation program designed to support safety, quality, and operational preparedness in clinical hyperbaric oxygen therapy programs.
The Clinical Hyperbaric Safety CAQ provides qualifying facilities with a structured process for demonstrating their commitment to patient safety, staff competency, clinical standards, emergency preparedness, and ongoing quality improvement.
The program was developed through the work of the ACHM Safety CAQ Committee and is supported by the College’s broader commitment to safe, evidence-based hyperbaric medicine.
Safe hyperbaric care requires more than appropriate equipment. It depends on trained professionals, clearly defined responsibilities, documented clinical and operational procedures, emergency preparedness, quality oversight, and an organizational culture focused on safety.
The Clinical Hyperbaric Safety CAQ evaluates key areas of facility readiness, including:
Facilities that successfully complete the review process receive ACHM Clinical Hyperbaric Safety CAQ recognition.
The program is intended to help hyperbaric facilities evaluate and document the systems that support safe, organized, and responsible patient care.
Tom Fox, CHT, Chairman of the ACHM Safety CAQ Committee, emphasized the importance of a structured safety program for clinical hyperbaric facilities.
The Clinical Hyperbaric Safety CAQ is supported by the ACHM Safety Consensus Document for Safe Operations in Clinical Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy.
The consensus document provides a framework for safe clinical hyperbaric operations and addresses areas such as:
At the time of the program’s launch, Summit Hyperbaric in Boise, Idaho, and Brevard Regional Hyperbaric Center in Melbourne, Florida, were identified as the first facilities scheduled to participate in Safety CAQ site evaluations.
Their participation marked the beginning of the facility-review process for the newly launched program.
This wording is preferable to saying the visits are still “scheduled,” because the press release may remain accessible long after those evaluations have occurred.
The Clinical Hyperbaric Safety CAQ is available to qualifying hospital-based, office-based, and free-standing hyperbaric facilities. Current eligibility requirements, application criteria, and supporting documentation are available on the ACHM Facility Accreditation page.
“The ACHM has always advocated for excellence in hyperbaric medicine. Safety is critical to achieving optimal outcomes. I invite all hyperbaric facilities to attain ACHM Safety CAQ accreditation.”
Tyler Sexton, MD
President, American College of Hyperbaric Medicine
The American College of Hyperbaric Medicine (ACHM) is a physician-led professional organization advancing safe, evidence-based hyperbaric medicine through education, professional development, clinical leadership, safety, and collaboration.
Founded in 1983, ACHM serves a multidisciplinary professional community committed to the continued advancement of hyperbaric medicine and responsible patient care.
For more information, visit ACHM.org.
ACHM is accepting applications from qualifying hyperbaric facilities interested in pursuing Clinical Hyperbaric Safety CAQ recognition.
Facilities should review the current eligibility, documentation, evaluation, and application requirements before submitting.
Media Contact
American College of Hyperbaric Medicine
admin@achm.org
ACHM.org