Certified Hyperbaric Technologist Test CHT Hyperbaric Facility Management and Quality Assurance 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The primary accreditation body for clinical hyperbaric medicine programs in the United States is:
- Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) (Correct answer)
- Joint Commission (TJC)
- American College of Surgeons (ACS)
- National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
Correct answer: Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS)
UHMS provides the standards and accreditation process specifically designed for clinical hyperbaric medicine facilities in the US.
Question 2: NFPA 99 applies to hyperbaric facilities primarily because it governs:
- Health care facility fire and safety standards including hyperbaric installations (Correct answer)
- Personal dive equipment certification standards
- Environmental oxygen disposal regulations
- Hyperbaric chamber manufacturing tolerances
Correct answer: Health care facility fire and safety standards including hyperbaric installations
NFPA 99 is the Health Care Facilities Code and specifically includes Chapter 14 dedicated to hyperbaric facilities' fire and safety requirements.
Question 3: Under UHMS accreditation standards, a clinical hyperbaric program must have a qualified Medical Director who holds:
- Board certification or eligibility in undersea and hyperbaric medicine (UHM) (Correct answer)
- Any active physician license in the state of operation
- Fellowship training in emergency medicine only
- At minimum a nursing degree with HBO experience
Correct answer: Board certification or eligibility in undersea and hyperbaric medicine (UHM)
UHMS requires the Medical Director to be board certified or eligible through ABPM in undersea and hyperbaric medicine.
Question 4: A 'dive log' (treatment record) in a hyperbaric facility must document:
- Patient name, treatment table used, depth, time, patient condition, and staff present (Correct answer)
- Only the treatment table number and elapsed time
- Physician orders and billing codes only
- Chamber serial number and next scheduled maintenance
Correct answer: Patient name, treatment table used, depth, time, patient condition, and staff present
Complete dive logs are required for regulatory compliance, patient safety, and quality review and must capture all critical treatment parameters.
Question 5: How often must a hyperbaric chamber undergo a formal safety inspection according to ASME PVHO-1 standards?
- Annually, with records retained for audit (Correct answer)
- Every five years only
- Only after any incident or equipment modification
- Monthly by the facility safety officer
Correct answer: Annually, with records retained for audit
ASME PVHO-1 and NFPA 99 require annual inspections of pressure vessels for human occupancy to ensure structural and safety compliance.
Question 6: The purpose of a 'mock emergency drill' in a hyperbaric unit is to:
- Ensure staff competency in emergency procedures within and around the chamber (Correct answer)
- Test the chamber's emergency pressure-relief valve under load
- Satisfy OSHA annual confined-space entry requirements
- Train patients on self-evacuation during fire
Correct answer: Ensure staff competency in emergency procedures within and around the chamber
Mock drills verify that all team members can execute emergency protocols (fire, medical emergency, power failure) safely and efficiently.
Certified Hyperbaric Technologist Test CHT Hyperbaric Facility Management and Quality Assurance 1
The primary accreditation body for clinical hyperbaric medicine programs in the United States is: