Optimizing Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Workflow with Multispectral Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Imaging: Impacts on Treatment Access and Health Resource Utilization

Introduction: Non-healing wounds affect 10.5 million U.S. Medicare beneficiaries (Sen, 2023). While wound healing is a fundamental biological process, various local factors, such as tissue oxygenation levels or infection, and systemic factors, such as ischemia or underlying diseases, can contribute to impaired wound healing. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) effectively addresses hypoxia, reducing inflammation and ischemia-reperfusion injury. Despite the benefits of HBOT, challenges in physician adoption, patient qualification, documentation of treatment efficacy, and patient compliance hinder its optimal utilization. This study investigates the integration of mobile near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and infrared (IR) thermal imaging into the HBOT workflow and their impact on health resource utilization (HRU) and treatment access compared to standard care (SOC).Methods:Employing an FDA 510(k) cleared handheld mobile NIRS and thermal imaging device*, tissue oxygenation and skin surface temperature were measured, with data collected pre- and post-HBOT sessions. A retrospective analysis compared outcomes nine months before and after integrating NIRS imaging into the HBOT workflow across multiple clinical sites, focusing on booked and missed appointments to gauge patient compliance and physician adoption of HBOT.Results: A three-month comparison of pre-integration of imaging to post-integration revealed a notable increase in HBOT appointments by 25% and a rise in patient compliance by 16% at one clinical site, underscoring enhanced patient flow and engagement. The extended nine-month analysis further solidifies the positive impact of NIRS imaging on the HBOT workflow across both clinical sites, with evident improvements in patient compliance, physician adoption, and subsequent HRU.Discussion: Integrating NIRS imaging into the HBOT workflow contributes to the practice's sustainability by improving patient qualification, physician adoption, and compliance rates, which in turn reduces missed appointments. The clinical and financial benefits of integration of NIRS imaging optimize patient access to care.References:Sen, Chandan K. 2023. “Human Wound and Its Burden: Updated 2022 Compendium of Estimates.” Advances in Wound Care: The Journal for Prevention and Healing 12 (12): 657–70.