Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has emerged as a vital treatment modality in modern healthcare, offering a range of benefits for various medical conditions. As architects tasked with designing hyperbaric chambers within hospitals, it's imperative to approach the process with a deep understanding of both the technical requirements and the critical need for patient and staff safety.
What are these oxygen-enriched chambers? Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves exposing the patient to 100% oxygen at pressures greater than atmospheric pressure. This high-pressure environment allows for the lungs to gather more oxygen than would be possible breathing pure oxygen at normal air pressure. The increased oxygen levels in the blood can promote healing and fight certain infections. In a hospital design, the layout and construction of hyperbaric chamber rooms must adhere to strict guidelines to ensure the safety and effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Hyperbaric chamber rooms need to be integrated with the hospital's infrastructure, including electrical, plumbing, and medical gas systems. They also require specific certifications and compliance with regulatory standards for medical devices and facilities. Let’s talk about some of these standards and strategies involved in creating safe and effective hyperbaric chamber spaces.

Compliance with Regulations and Standards:
Today's hyperbaric therapy suite must comply with State, FGI, UHMS, and NFPA regulations. Coordinating with these agencies can be a challenge but necessary for a safe and functional Space.

• To meet relevant regulations and standards governing the design and construction of hyperbaric chambers, it’s vital to study the codes. Our team at JDC Architecture looks to organizations like the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) and local building codes to guide us through the design process.
• We first ensure that our design adheres to specific guidelines regarding chamber size, layout, ventilation, and emergency protocols to guarantee the safety and well-being of occupants. The UHMS underlines critical safety guidelines of the hyperbaric chamber including appropriate pressure vessel engineering, fire safety design, and proper installation; these standards are incredibly important to follow to a tee.

Ventilation and Gas Management:

• Efficient ventilation systems are crucial for maintaining optimal oxygen levels and preventing the accumulation of carbon dioxide within the chamber.
• Design ventilation systems equipped with redundant mechanisms and fail-safes to ensure continuous airflow and the rapid evacuation of gases in case of emergencies.

Fire Safety Measures:
This highly oxygen enriched environment poses a very real risk to patients inside the machine and staff nearby. One only must be reminded of the Apollo 1 disaster to understand the gravity of the risks involved in these environments. Many of the sophisticated hyperbaric chambers come integral with deluge sprinklers systems, in the event of spark or malfunction, and are also required to have a 2-3 fire barrier between.

• Implement comprehensive fire safety protocols tailored to the unique requirements of hyperbaric chambers, including fire-resistant construction materials, automatic fire suppression systems, and emergency evacuation procedures.
• Conduct regular fire drills and staff training sessions to promote swift and effective responses to potential fire hazards.

Patient Comfort and Accessibility:

• Prioritize patient comfort and accessibility by designing spacious chambers equipped with ergonomic seating, adjustable lighting, and temperature control features.
• Ensure that the layout and entry points of the chamber facilitate easy ingress and egress for patients with mobility challenges or medical equipment.

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Aesthetics and Healing Environment:

• While prioritizing safety and functionality, JDC strives to create a calming and aesthetically pleasing environment within the hyperbaric chamber to enhance the overall patient experience.
• Incorporate elements of biophilic design, such as natural materials and greenery, to foster a sense of tranquility and connection with nature.

Designing hyperbaric chambers within hospital settings presents a unique set of challenges and considerations. By meticulously addressing factors such as structural integrity, ventilation, fire safety, patient comfort, and technological integration, we can contribute to the creation of hyperbaric environments that are not only safe and efficient but also conducive to healing and well-being. Through collaboration with healthcare professionals and adherence to industry standards, we hope to ensure the success and effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in modern healthcare facilities. ​

Let's start by breaking down the American College of Radiology's white paper on MRI safety guidelines. Can you explain the four basic zones surrounding an MRI suite?
“You can picture these zones as layers of protection. Zone I encompasses areas freely accessible to the public, like the entrance, where the magnet poses no threat. Zone II is the buffer between public spaces and the more restricted areas, like the reception and screening rooms. Zone III restricts access with coded doors, allowing only approved personnel and screened patients. Zone IV is the room where the magnet is located. Access to Zone IV should only be possible by passing through Zone III. Zone IV is also designed so that the walls of magnet room contain the five 0.5 mT line (or 5 Gauss) line of the fringe field of the magnet."

How does this translate into a three-dimensional consideration?
“MRI's magnetic forces extend beyond the machine's footprint. Therefore it's just as crucial for a designer to understand that these magnetic forces can be exerted on a basement below an MRI or even on a floor above an MRI or quite often to the outside of the building where it's easy to forget that someone might be walking around the outside of a building. And these cases you cannot easily implement the ACR zones above." 

Can you elaborate on the challenges designers face in implementing these MRI safety measures?
“While it's relatively simple to envision these safety zones on a flat plane, the challenge arises when you introduce height and depth. Designers need to consider the magnetic forces on different levels and the surroundings. It's easy to overlook the fact that someone might be walking around the exterior of the building, potentially exposed to magnetic fields. Passive shielding becomes a crucial tool in addressing these concerns.”

How does passive shielding work, and when is it necessary?
“Passive shielding acts as a protective barrier against magnetic forces. When the potential impact zone extends beyond the immediate surroundings of the MRI, designers will strategically apply metal sheeting to counteract these forces. It becomes necessary when the safety of individuals outside, above, or below the MRI is at risk. For this we typically look for the five gauss line which has been recognized as the maximum field that could be exerted on the public. Any force 5 gauss or higher must be shielded with either a passive shield or a way to ensure that no public could accidentally walk into this field."
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Any other considerations on MRI safety measures?
“Yes, one last consideration is the cryogen gas used to cool the machine. This works much like refrigeration lines to your air conditioner. Though they are often extremely cold to help produce the superconductor temperatures. Although these gases are contained within the machines that cool the MRI, consideration should be given in the event that there is a cryogen leak inside the MRI. In this particular example, the room becomes pressurized with these gases (which by the way would suffocate a person inside the room). In part, because the rooms are so tight to shield the RF signals, the rooms can become so pressurized that the door pushing into the room cannot be opened because of the pressure against it. It's for this reason that MRI doors should open outward to avoid this dangerous condition.”