Hyperbaric Medicine

Virginia Mason Franciscan Health is home to state-of-the-art hyperbaric medicine facilities run by some of the nation's most experienced and well-trained teams.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a medical treatment that allows a patient to breathe 100 percent pure oxygen while in a pressurized chamber. Hyperbaric chambers are well known for treating scuba diving accidents, carbon monoxide poisoning and other emergencies. Hyperbaric therapy also stimulates healing by helping the body grow new blood vessels and carrying oxygen to tissues. This is especially useful for treating non-healing wounds, including tissue that’s injured by radiation therapy, and some types of severe diabetic wounds.

Here's what sets us apart:

Our treatment chamber is the size of an aircraft fuselage—big enough for patients to stand up in, or read and play games during treatment, instead of being confined to a Plexiglass tube. Virginia Mason Medical Center is the only facility in Western Washington with a chamber this large. Learn more about hyperbaric oxygen therapy and how it works.

Our hyperbaric facility is accredited with distinction by the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society. This ensures we have the best equipment, staff, training and safety. And it means we can deliver the best possible care and give you the best chance to heal and recover.

Virginia Mason Medical Center has the region’s only hyperbaric center with physicians who are board certified in Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine. Our nurses and technicians also have the highest levels of training.

A member of our expert staff is in the chamber during treatment to monitor your treatment, answer questions and make sure you get the best possible care. Meet our providers.

Our physicians published a study showing that the vast majority of patients treated at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health for radiation tissue injuries have had positive outcomes. These results were published in the journal: Cancer.

Our Hyperbaric Medicine program is the Northwest’s leader in treating scuba diving accidents, carbon monoxide poisoning and other emergencies. We’re the regional coordinating facility for the Divers Alert Network, and the backup hyperbaric facility for the Army Rangers, Navy SEALs and other military units. While we’re available for emergency care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all emergency cases should go to the closest emergency department for evaluation and stabilization.

Your primary care provider can refer you to the Hyperbaric Medicine program at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health. Once you have a referral for hyperbaric therapy, schedule an appointment at a location near you. We accept many insurance plans, and Medicare and Medicaid.

Talk to your primary care physician or provider if you believe you have a condition that may be improved through hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Referring physicians can find referral information on our hyperbaric medicine page for referring physicians. Emergency patient referrals can be made 24/7 via Virginia Mason Medical Center's Admission Center at 206-341-1141. Emergency patients are evaluated by the Emergency Department.

Virginia Mason Franciscan Health provides hyperbaric oxygen therapy at St. Michael Medical Center in Silverdale, St. Anne Hospital in Burien and Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle.

St. Michael Medical Center
1800 Northwest Myhre Road
Silverdale, WA 98383
564-240-1000

St. Anne Hospital
16251 Sylvester Road SW
Burien, WA 98166
206-244-9970

Virginia Mason Medical Center
1100 9th Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101
206-583-6543