Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)

Hospital-based hyperbaric oxygen therapy at the Berliner Zentrum für hyperbare Sauerstofftherapie und Tauchmedizin (Vivantes Klinikum im Friedrichshain). 8-seat multiplace hard-shell chamber configurable for two full ICU beds, 2.4–3.0 ATA pressure range, 100–140 minute sessions, supervised by 12 specially trained dive and hyperbaric physicians. One of only nine 24/7 emergency-capable HBO facilities in Germany. Accepts referrals only — outpatient HBO is not a standard GKV benefit except for diabetic foot syndrome.

The Berliner Zentrum für hyperbare Sauerstofftherapie und Tauchmedizin is a hospital department of Vivantes Klinikum im Friedrichshain, clinically integrated into the Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine department. With more than forty years of operating tradition (the programme dates to the mid-1980s), the centre is one of only nine 24/7 emergency-capable hyperbaric facilities in Germany and accepts nationwide intake via on-site helipad. The current chamber is housed in the basement of the new Haus 15.2 building, rebuilt at the end of 2017. The chamber itself is a hard-shell rectangular multiplace unit seating 8 patients, modular for two complete ICU beds for critically ill cases. Therapeutic pressure range is 240–300 kPa absolute (2.4–3.0 bar / 2.4–3.0 ATA), equivalent to a diving depth of 14 to 20 metres. During each session, patients breathe 100% medical-grade oxygen via mask while the chamber is pressurised; sessions run 100 to 140 minutes, and elective indications typically require 10 to 30 sessions per course. An entertainment system inside the chamber allows reading, music, or videos during the session. Clinical indications served at the centre include chronic wound-healing disorders (including diabetic foot syndrome — the only outpatient HBO indication routinely covered by statutory insurance), late radiation injury (radiation cystitis and proctitis), sudden hearing loss (Hörsturz), acoustic trauma (Knalltrauma), aseptic bone necrosis (e.g., Morbus Ahlbäck), and central retinal artery occlusion. Emergency 24/7 indications include carbon-monoxide poisoning, gas gangrene and necrotising soft-tissue infections, decompression sickness and dive accidents, and arterial gas embolism. IMPORTANT — booking model: this is a referral-driven medical centre, not a consumer drop-in. Patients arrange a consultation appointment after a referring physician recommends HBO. There is no online booking system. Outpatient HBO therapy is not a standard statutory health insurance (GKV) benefit except for diabetic foot syndrome; private insurers and Beihilfe generally cover treatment according to tariff, and the centre assists with cost estimates and insurance approval applications. Self-pay rates for individual indications are not publicly listed — contact [email protected] or call 030 130 23 1700 for a Kostenvoranschlag. The centre also partners with Charité's Fatigue Centre on a Post-COVID / ME-CFS research trial; eligibility is restricted to prior Charité observational study participants and is not a general self-pay enrolment route. The team is led by Leitender Oberarzt Oliver Müller, with senior physicians Dr. Uwe Langner, Matthias Leuschner, and Dr. med. Christoph Rosenthal. Twelve specially trained dive and hyperbaric physicians and four functional staff cover routine and emergency operations. Operating hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 07:00–15:30; Wednesday 11:00–19:30. Emergency line is staffed 24/7 (+49 30 130 23 1502 / +49 30 130 23 1707).