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Education

Questions pertaining to education

How much does the PATH program cost?
Published: 18 July 2018

How much does the PATH program cost?

$2000*
*you must be a UHMS member to enroll.

Please visit the PATH webpage for more details: https://www.uhms.org/education/credentialing/caq-hyperbaric-physician-certification.html 

Do members receive a discount for the PATH program?
Published: 18 July 2018

Do members receive a discount for the PATH program?

The fee is the same for all enrollees - one of the requirments of the program is that you must be a current UHMS Member and maintain your membership during the duration of your certification.

If you are not a current member and wish to join the program, click here to join UHMS now, then visit the PATH Program webpage for more information on signing up for the program: https://www.uhms.org/education/credentialing/caq-hyperbaric-physician-certification.html

How long will it take to complete the PATH program?
Published: 18 July 2018

How long will it take to complete the PATH program?

Once all Blocks are posted, we estimate it to take up to 6-12 months depending on your availability and time you have to participate.

Who can participate in the PATH Program?
Published: 18 July 2018

Who can participate in the PATH Program?

The UHMS PATH is open to MD, DO, NP and PA candidates who have previously completed a 40-hour introduction to hyperbaric medicine course and are a current UHMS Member.

Where can I find a list of UHMS approved Designated Introductory Training Courses?
Published: 18 July 2018

Where can I find a list of UHMS approved Designated Introductory Training Courses?

Please visit our website here: https://www.uhms.org/education/courses-meeting/introductory-courses.html

How do I purchase the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Indications 13th Edition?
Published: 18 July 2018

How do I purchase the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Indications 13th Edition?

Please visit Best Publishing’s website here: https://www.bestpub.com/books/hyperbaric-a-undersea-medicine/product/436-hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy-indications-thirteenth-edition/category_pathway-31.html

Do I receive a certificate/degree when I complete the PATH program?
Published: 18 July 2018

Do I receive a certificate/degree when I complete the PATH program?

Upon completion of the PATH, MD/DO candidates will receive a Certificate of Added Qualification (CAQ) and NP/PA candidates will receive a Certificate of Advanced Education (CAE).

What pre-requisites must I meet to begin the PATH program?
Published: 18 July 2018

What pre-requisites must I meet to begin the PATH program?

Are CHT's required to maintain ACLS certification?
Published: 09 October 2018

Are CHT's required to maintain ACLS certification?

Do doctors need to be ACLS certified for HBO therapy? Is there any research that states hyperbaric oxygen therapy causes cardiac arrhythmias?
Published: 19 March 2023

Do doctors need to be ACLS certified for HBO therapy? Is there any research that states hyperbaric oxygen therapy causes cardiac arrhythmias?

Posted: 3/21/2023


Q:
Do doctors need to be ACLS certified for HBO therapy? Is there any research that states hyperbaric oxygen therapy causes cardiac arrhythmias?


A:

Do hyperbaric oxygen treatments cause cardiac arrhythmias?
Hyperbaric oxygen is not known or reported to cause cardiac arrhythmias except for bradycardia which is usually benign. Dr. Bove states in the chapter cited above, "Current evidence indicates that HBOT results in increased vagal tone... These changes are well tolerated in patients with normal cardiovascular function, but can result in clinical deterioration in patients with compromised cardiac function." I include some attachments that provide additional guidance. The most significant issue related to cardiac complications and hyperbaric oxygen are the induction of cardiac congestive failure which can be fulminant and cause flash pulmonary edema. See attached additional information from Dr. Hampson and Dr. Weaver’s small case series of patients. In part, the pathophysiology results from peripheral arterial vasoconstriction with resultant increased afterload. 
 
Is there a requirement for physicians to have ACLS certification to practice hyperbaric medicine?
Several years ago Novitas in their coverage document indicated that hyperbaric physicians should have ACLS certification to qualify for payment. This is no longer a requirement by Novitas.  Local credentialing requirements may require specific educational or training requirements to be credentialed at their institution, and this could include ACLS certification.See below Dr. Gelly's discussion of treatment in free standing centers and in hospital treatment centers where a code team is not readily available. 

Dr. Gelly adds:
Comment:
Medicare intermediaries are not credentialing agencies, however private insurance carriers are credentialling agencies, and they can, and do, require Board certification in some instances. 
The question is whether or not you are credentailing to the most restrictive, ie commercial plans.
A prime example of this is MVP in upstate New York that required UHMS accreditation for payment, they can set whatever criteria they want. 
Cigna has already sent out letters denying physician participation in their plan because they were not Boarded in UHM. 
 
A provider recommends that physicians supervising hyperbaric oxygen therapy should be certified in Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine by the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) or the American Board of Preventive Medicine (APBM) or must have completed additional training in hyperbaric medicine, such as the 40-hour training required by the ABPM. Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) training and certification of supervising physicians (and NPPs) is required in physician offices and off-campus hospital sites; and in on-campus provider-based departments only for which provider-response time of an emergency code team to the chamber can be expected to exceed five minutes.
 
Response:
With only one exception, WPS Medicare has never required board-certification for any Local Coverage Determination. The one exception was a national Medicare requirement. We have never required any physician to complete a specific course, although we have encouraged appropriate training.
 
Comment:
A suggestion that ACLS training not be required for supervising physicians until six months after the effective date of this LCD and that such training will not be required for supervising physicians in on-campus facilities, at which code teams always arrive within five minutes was made. The provider further suggested that board certified physicians whose practice routinely involves intensive care not be required to have ACLS training.
 
Response:
WPS Medicare has not put into this policy that the physician must have ACLS or ATLS certification. Such certification is recommended, but is not required.

John Feldmeier, D.O.

 


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