(CR-080) Results of an Educational Campaign to Improve the Knowledge of Referring Providers Related to the Benefits of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy on Late Radiation Tissue Injuries

Daniel Christopher, MSN, RN, ACHRN – Director of Implementation and HBO Training, RestorixHealth

Introduction:
Radiation therapy is a modality used to treat many forms of cancer, and about 50% of individuals receiving radiotherapy will be long-term survivors. A 2023 review of eighteen studies from 1985-2022 suggested hyperbaric oxygen (HBO₂) therapy may be associated with improved outcomes in patients with late radiation tissue injuries (LRTIs). Despite supporting medical evidence, patients experiencing symptoms of LRTI appear to be under-treated with HBO₂ therapy secondary to a lack of understanding of HBO₂ medicine by potential referring providers. This analysis aims to determine whether a nationwide educational campaign targeting LRTIs could favorably impact patients' access to HBO₂ therapy.

Methods:
A twelve-month LRTI education campaign was initiated on October 1, 2023, targeting oncology practitioners across North America. Data collected from 235 RestorixHealth sites utilizing the WoundDocs electronic medical record (EMR) From October 2023 through September 2024, the total number of HBO₂ therapy treatment sessions organized by ICD 10 codes specifically correlating with patients treated for LRTIs was collected. LRTIs include the following diagnoses: Soft Tissue Radionecrosis, Late Effects of Radiation, Radiation Cystitis, Osteoradionecrosis, Radiation Colitis. The comparator group was collected prior to the education campaign from October 2022 through September 2023.

Results:
During the twelve months of the LRTI educational campaign, monitored at 235 sites (95% CI:0.823,0.905), there was a statistically significant 12.2% increase in the number of HBO₂ therapy treatments targeting LRTIs when compared to the baseline twelve months before the start of the LRTI campaign through the educational intervention period.



· Pre - LRTI Campaign (October 2022 – September 2023):

o HBO₂ treatments radiation-related indications = 21,982

· Post - LRTI Campaign (October 2023 – September 2024):

o HBO₂ treatments radiation-related indications = 23,288

The chi-square statistic is 197.2904. The p-value is < 0.00001.
The chi-square statistic with Yates correction is 197.1376. The p-value is < 0.00001.

Significant at p < .05.

➙ The percent increase between the baseline and intervention periods was 12.2%.

➙ Intervention period - For all indications treated with adjunct HBO₂ therapy 26.7% were for LRTIs.

➙ Baseline period - For all indications treated with adjunct HBO₂ therapy 23.8% were for LRTIs.


Discussion: This real-world retrospective analysis was statistically significant and suggests that patients suffering from LRTIs may never be offered HBO2therapy as a treatment option to alleviate their pain and suffering secondary due to a lack of familiarity of referring provider(s) with the benefits of Hyperbaric Medicine. Further studies are warranted to corroborate these findings.