Organizations Supporting and Advancing Hyperbaric Medicine

Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS)

Note to Patients and Referring Physicians

When you see the UHMS Accredited Facility logo in our treatment center directory, you’ve found a hospital-based hyperbaric oxygen therapy provider that meets the most rigorous industry standards, practices evidence-based medicine, and only treats patients with FDA-approved diseases and conditions.

Roles and Purposes

An international nonprofit organization serving some 2,400 members in 50 countries, the UHMS is the chief accrediting body and the primary source of scientific information for diving and hyperbaric medicine physiology worldwide.

The Society has long been acknowledged as the leading representative of the hyperbaric medical community to federal, state and local agencies on matters related to efficacy, standards of care, and reimbursement. In the United States we have the UHMS to thank for most of our approved clinical indications and financial reimbursement for hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

The UHMS also hosts an annual Scientific Meeting, publishes the bimonthly peer-reviewed Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine Journal, provides grant funding for focused research, and coordinates continuing medical and professional education and certification.

Membership

The UHMS offers several levels of membership for individuals and corporations. Individual membership requires a professional degree, technical certification, or some standing in the hyperbaric medicine community.

Facility Accreditation

HBOT providers voluntarily participate in the UHMS clinical hyperbaric medicine facility accreditation program to demonstrate their commitment to patient care and facility safety. The Joint Commission, the main accrediting body for healthcare organizations in the US, recognizes UHMS Accredited Facilities.

Today the UHMS accredits some 90+ hyperbaric facilities. HyperbaricLink maintains a database of UHMS accredited facilities heightand displays the UHMS accreditation badge in treatment center directory listings.

UHMS Accredited Facilities must successfully complete a rigorous assessment of staffing and training; equipment installation, operation, and maintenance; facility and patient safety; and standards of care.

UHMS Accredited Facilities With Distinction earn superior scores.

The site surveys performed by UHMS expert teams cover:

governance
administration
operations
maintenance
facility construction
chamber fabrication
chamber ventilation
fire protection
electrical systems and service
gas handling
patient rights
patient assessment
patient care

environment of care
patient education
quality improvement
professional improvement
leadership
human resources
information management
infection control
medical staff
teaching and publishing
clinical research
patient treatment information

Professional Certification

The Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) offers and jointly sponsors a variety of accredited Continuing Medical Education (CME) courses for physicians through the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME).

The UHMS coordinates a physician fellowship in Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine through the American Board of Preventive Medicine (ABPM) and the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM).

In partnership with the National Board of Diving and Hyperbaric Medical Technology (NBDHMT), the Society coordinates the certification of hyperbaric medical technologists, including Divers Medic Technologists (DMT), Certified Hyperbaric Technologists (CHT), and Certified Hyperbaric Registered Nurses (CHRN).