From September 13 to 14, 2025, the municipal continuing medical education program “Advances in the Application of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Critical Care” (Project No.: 2025-16-00-015) was successfully held at Nanjing Zijin Hospital. This academic event brought together leading experts in the field of hyperbaric oxygen medicine from across China, who engaged in an in-depth discussion on the latest research advances and clinical applications of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the management of critical illnesses.

Wang Yifang, Vice President of Nanjing Zijin Hospital, delivered a speech on behalf of President Ge Jiangping. He began by extending a warm welcome to all the attending experts and trainees, followed by a brief overview of Nanjing Zijin Hospital’s development journey and its notable achievements.

Topic: The Clinical Value of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Critical Care Rehabilitation

Long Ying, Director of the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Department at Shenzhen People’s Hospital, emphasized that early initiation of hyperbaric oxygen therapy can significantly increase the success rate of resuscitation, shorten ICU length of stay, and improve patients’ long-term outcomes. Finally, by comparing domestic and international indications and reviewing clinical cases, the study confirmed the pivotal role of hyperbaric oxygen therapy as a multi‑targeted treatment modality within an integrated approach to critical care rehabilitation.

Topic: Evidence-Based Evaluation of Indications for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Zhou Hongtu, Director of the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Department at the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, demonstrated how hyperbaric oxygen therapy has evolved from empirical medicine to evidence-based medicine. Drawing on extensive domestic and international data, he substantiated the efficacy and clinical necessity of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in treating a wide range of conditions, particularly hypoxic‑ischemic disorders and their associated complications, thereby providing clinicians with an authoritative reference for its application.

Topic: Assessment and Intervention for ICU-Acquired Weakness

Zhou Suming, Director of the Critical Care Medicine Center at Jiangsu Provincial People’s Hospital, outlined the current status, underlying mechanisms, assessment methods, and intervention strategies for ICU-acquired weakness (ICUAW). He emphasized that, as a common complication in critically ill patients, ICUAW significantly impairs long-term quality of life and functional independence, and urged clinicians to prioritize the monitoring and preservation of muscle mass.

Study Title: Can Gas Insufflation and Water‑Inflating Techniques Really Prevent Aspiration During Oxygen‑Cabin Use? — An Observation of the Pressure‑Stabilizing Effects of Different Management Strategies for Artificial Airway Cuff Pressures in the Oxygen Cabin

Guan Yadong, Director of the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Department at Nanjing Chi‑Ming Hospital, addressed a critical clinical challenge: management of artificial airways within hyperbaric chambers. Through video demonstrations, the lecture clearly highlighted the varying pressure‑stabilization outcomes of different cuff‑management techniques, providing clinicians with essential guidance for selecting optimal strategies and ensuring patient safety, thereby offering significant practical value.

Topic: Timing and Progress of Early Rehabilitation in Critically Ill Patients

Li Jinlin, Director of the Department of Critical Care Medicine at Nanjing Meishan Hospital, has demonstrated the importance, safety, and efficacy of early rehabilitation for critically ill patients. He also objectively analyzed current controversies in the field and outlined future directions—namely, achieving personalized rehabilitation through standardized practices, multidisciplinary collaboration, and the integration of emerging technologies.

Topic: Concepts, Neuroanatomy, and Neurophysiology of Consciousness and Disorders of Consciousness

Gao Zhiqiang, Executive Vice President of Nanjing Zijin Hospital, provided a comprehensive overview of consciousness and disorders of consciousness, emphasizing the importance of objective diagnostic tools such as electroencephalography and the application of the China Nanjing Scale for Recovery of Consciousness. In terms of treatment, Vice President Gao Zhiqiang highlighted neuroregulatory awakening techniques—including hyperbaric oxygen therapy and spinal cord electrical stimulation—demonstrating the field’s holistic advances from assessment to intervention.

Topic: Disorders of Consciousness Following Brain Injury

Wang Yifang, vice president of Nanjing Zijin Hospital, outlined the pathophysiological mechanisms, clinical assessment, and therapeutic advances in disorders of consciousness (DOC) following brain injury. She presented a multimodal evaluation framework—comprising behavioral scales, neuroimaging, and electrophysiological techniques—and discussed various treatment modalities, including pharmacotherapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, neuromodulation, and brain–computer interfaces. She emphasized the need to integrate cutting-edge technologies to enhance diagnostic accuracy and improve outcomes in promoting arousal.

Topic: Timing of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Critically Ill Patients and Case Sharing

Liu Yafeng, the regional director of the Jiangning Campus of Nanjing Zijin Hospital, systematically outlined the timing and clinical application of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy for critically ill patients. Drawing on numerous successful cases, he demonstrated that early, appropriately timed HBO treatment can effectively promote recovery of consciousness, facilitate successful weaning from mechanical ventilation, and improve neurological function, making it an essential component of critical care rehabilitation.

Topic: Evaluation and Outcomes of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in the Rehabilitation of Patients with Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

Wang Changbao, Director of the Greater Area at the Qinhuai Campus of Nanjing Zijin Hospital, explained the pathophysiological mechanisms, clinical efficacy, and multimodal assessment methods of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy for severe traumatic brain injury. He also highlighted the “China Nanjing Coma Recovery Scale (CNCRS),” which, as demonstrated in multicenter studies, outperforms traditional scales in the evaluation of acute disorders of consciousness and exhibits superior reliability and validity.

Title: Mechanisms and Clinical Prospects of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Combined with CRRT for Promoting Consciousness Recovery in Patients with Cerebral Hemorrhage Complicated by Acute Renal Failure

Gao Jirong, Director of the Awakening Center at the Qinhuai Branch of Nanjing Zijin Hospital, systematically presented an innovative therapeutic approach—combining hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) with continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT)—using a successful clinical case to treat patients with cerebral hemorrhage complicated by acute renal failure. He analyzed the synergistic mechanisms underlying this combination, highlighting its roles in stabilizing the internal environment, reducing intracranial pressure, improving cerebral metabolism, and mitigating renal oxidative stress.

Topic: Application of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Patients with Weaning Difficulties

Pan Xingming, Director of the Wake‑Up Center at the Jiangning Branch of Nanjing Zijin Hospital, outlined the application of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy in assisting patients who are weaning from mechanical ventilation but face difficulties. By improving tissue oxygenation, reducing inflammation, promoting neurological recovery, and enhancing respiratory muscle strength—among other mechanisms—HBO can significantly increase the success rate of weaning.

Topic: Assessment and Management of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Acute and Critical Craniocerebral Injuries

Wang Xia, Director of the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Center at Nanjing Zijin Hospital, delivered two sessions as part of this continuing medical education program. In the first session, “Assessment and Management of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Acute and Critical Cranial and Cerebral Injuries,” Director Wang outlined the indications for HBO therapy—such as carbon monoxide poisoning—and its contraindications—such as active bleeding—and provided a detailed analysis of key assessment points prior to treatment, including the patient’s vital signs, cardiac function, and various types of medical devices (e.g., artificial airways, drainage tubes), along with in‑cabin safety protocols.

Topic: Application of Ventilators in Hyperbaric Oxygen Chambers

In the second session, “Ventilator Use in Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Chambers,” Director Wang outlined the technical aspects and management strategies for ventilator use within hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) chambers. Clinical data demonstrated that combining HBO with mechanical ventilation can effectively improve oxygenation, cardiac function, and level of consciousness in critically ill patients, significantly increasing the success rate of weaning from mechanical ventilation. Finally, Deputy Head Nurse Chen Xinrong from the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Department was invited to provide a detailed explanation of ventilators.
 

Topic: Comprehensive Nursing Management of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Critically Ill Patients with Tracheostomy

Zhang Jianping, deputy director of the Nursing Department at Nanjing Zijin Hospital, outlined a comprehensive nursing management protocol for critically ill patients undergoing tracheostomy who receive hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy. He emphasized that standardized procedural management, meticulous airway maintenance, and rigorous risk control are essential to ensure treatment safety, with the ultimate goal of improving patient outcomes and enhancing quality of life.

Topic: Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber Operating Procedures

Xing Siyu, deputy head nurse of the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Department at Nanjing Zijin Hospital, outlined the complete procedural protocol for hyperbaric oxygen therapy. She provided a detailed description of the operational steps and precautions for each of the three phases—pressurization, oxygen administration during steady pressure, and decompression—as well as emergency response plans for common issues such as ear pain and excessive oxygen concentration. Finally, she specified post‑treatment requirements for equipment maintenance, disinfection, and record‑keeping, with the aim of ensuring the safety and efficacy of the therapy.
 

The successful implementation of the municipal-level continuing medical education program, “Advances in the Application of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Critical Care,” has provided a valuable platform for learning and exchange among colleagues, enabling participants to deepen their professional knowledge and broaden their clinical perspectives.