I. Currently commonly used oxygen delivery methods:

　　1. Whole‑cabin oxygen therapy: This is the method used in single‑person hyperbaric oxygen chambers. After purging the chamber with pure oxygen and pressurizing it, the patient does not need to wear an oxygen mask and can breathe the high‑concentration oxygen inside the chamber directly.

　　2. Mask‑oxygenation method: This involves using an oxygen‑inhalation device within an air‑pressure chamber. Once the therapeutic pressure is reached, the patient wears the oxygen‑delivery apparatus and breathes pure oxygen. At present, our hospital employs two such methods:

　　(1). Bag‑mask ventilation (primary oxygen delivery method): Attach a rubber bag to the oxygen‑delivery valve, then connect it directly to the oxygen source for oxygen administration. This method requires less effort from the patient during oxygen inhalation.

　　(2). Automatic oxygen-supply regulator method (two-stage oxygen supply): A two-stage respiratory regulator is installed in the cabin and connected to an oxygen delivery mask. The patient receives oxygen with each inhalation, and no oxygen is supplied when no inhalation occurs.

　　II. Precautions During Oxygen Therapy:

　　1. In the single-person oxygen therapy chamber, patients are required to wear the all-cotton patient gown provided by our hospital upon entering the chamber, and are strictly prohibited from bringing any prohibited items inside. Upon entry, patients should lie quietly and supine within the chamber.

　　2. Mask‑based oxygen administration includes two methods: bag‑valve‑mask ventilation (primary oxygen delivery) and automatic gas‑regulating oxygen delivery (secondary oxygen delivery). Regardless of the method used, the mask must maintain close contact with the cheeks during oxygen inhalation to prevent air leakage, which could reduce the inspired oxygen concentration and compromise the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

　　3. When using a bag‑type oxygen delivery device, it is not optimal for the bag to inflate as fully as possible; rather, the bag should exhibit distinct, rhythmic expansion and recoil in response to the patient’s breathing. Since bag‑type oxygen delivery provides continuous ventilation, excessive inflation can irritate the airway mucosa—particularly in patients with tracheostomies—leading to symptoms such as coughing.

　　4. When using a bag‑type oxygen delivery device, do not compress the bag during oxygen administration.

　　5. When administering oxygen via a mask, whether to breathe through the mouth or the nose generally depends on each patient’s individual circumstances. An automatic flow‑regulating device (secondary oxygen delivery) creates an inspiratory resistance of approximately 40 mmH₂O; for patients with limited lung capacity, mouth breathing is recommended to increase inspiratory effort and facilitate opening of the secondary regulator’s valve. In most cases, however, nasal breathing is preferable, as it helps avoid direct irritation of the trachea and bronchi while also providing humidification.

　　6. To avoid adverse reactions associated with prolonged oxygen therapy, clinical practice typically involves switching to room air after approximately 30 minutes of oxygen administration at pressures below 2.5 ATA, followed by a rest period of 3 to 5 minutes before resuming oxygen therapy.

　　Nanjing Zijin Hospital Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Center Announces

　　March 22, 2016