SAFETY. STANDARDS. COMPETENCY. QUALITY.
Clinical Hyperbaric Safety Certificate of Added Qualification (CAQ)
The American College of Hyperbaric Medicine’s Clinical Hyperbaric Safety Certificate of Added Qualification (CAQ) recognizes hyperbaric facilities that demonstrate a commitment to patient safety, clinical standards, team competency, operational preparedness, and quality.
The program provides qualifying facilities with a structured process for demonstrating safety excellence and adherence to ACHM clinical guidelines.
Safety CAQ Requirement and Application
What the Clinical Hyperbaric Safety CAQ Represents
Safe hyperbaric care depends on more than the chamber itself. It requires trained professionals, clearly defined responsibilities, documented clinical and operational procedures, emergency preparedness, quality oversight, and an organizational commitment to patient safety.
The Clinical Hyperbaric Safety CAQ provides a facility-level review process focused on the systems and practices that support safe, responsible hyperbaric care.
Patient Safety
The program evaluates the policies, procedures, and clinical practices that help protect patients receiving hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Team Competency
Facilities should be able to demonstrate appropriate staff training, role-specific competency, and preparedness among the professionals involved in hyperbaric care.
Clinical Standards
The review considers documented clinical standards, safety protocols, and organizational practices related to the responsible delivery of hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Operational Readiness
Facilities are expected to demonstrate that appropriate systems are in place for chamber operations, emergency preparedness, documentation, oversight, and ongoing quality.
WHO CAN APPLY?
Eligible Facilities
The Clinical Hyperbaric Safety CAQ is a facility-level program. Eligible applicants may include:
-
Hospitals providing hyperbaric oxygen therapy -
Free-standing hyperbaric centers -
Wound care programs with hyperbaric services -
Other qualifying healthcare facilities delivering HBOT
Medical directors, hyperbaric safety directors, nurses, technologists, administrators, and other members of the clinical or operational team may participate in preparing the application and supporting documentation, but the recognition itself is awarded to the facility.
What ACHM Reviews
ACHM’s review process considers the facility’s clinical, operational, safety, and quality infrastructure. Current program materials identify several primary areas of review.
Facility & Organizational Information
Information about the facility, hyperbaric program, organizational structure, services, and responsible leadership.
Leadership & Governance
Medical and operational leadership, defined responsibilities, oversight, accountability, and program governance.
Training & Competency
Staff education, role-specific competency, training documentation, and professional preparedness.
Clinical Standards & Safety Protocols
Documented clinical policies, patient safety procedures, chamber operations, emergency preparedness, and treatment-related protocols.
Quality & Outcomes
Processes for monitoring quality, safety, patient outcomes, and ongoing performance improvement.
Facility Readiness
Documentation, systems, and operational processes that demonstrate the facility is prepared to support safe, organized, and consistent hyperbaric operations.
The Path to Clinical Hyperbaric Safety CAQ Recognition
The Clinical Hyperbaric Safety CAQ follows a structured facility review process.
01
Review Facility Readiness
Confirm eligibility and ensure required policies, training, safety, quality, and facility documentation are current.
02
Submit the Application
Complete the Clinical Hyperbaric Safety CAQ application and provide the requested facility and program information.
03
Provide Supporting Documentation
Submit supporting documentation addressing leadership, staff competency, clinical standards, safety protocols, and quality processes.
04
ACHM Safety Committee Review
The ACHM Safety Committee reviews the application and supporting materials and may request additional information.
05
Facility Site Evaluation
After the required documentation has been reviewed and accepted, ACHM schedules the facility’s Safety CAQ site evaluation and accreditation visit.
06
Decision & Recognition
Following completion of the review and facility evaluation process, ACHM communicates its accreditation decision. Facilities that meet the program requirements receive Clinical Hyperbaric Safety CAQ recognition.
Program Fee
$5,000
The fee applies to the Clinical Hyperbaric Safety CAQ / facility accreditation process.
Additional costs may apply when travel is required for an on-site evaluation.
Current materials reference surveyor airfare and up to two days of survey-related expenses.
Maintaining Safety CAQ Recognition
Clinical Hyperbaric Safety CAQ recognition reflects an ongoing commitment to safety, quality, professional standards, and responsible hyperbaric operations.
Facilities should maintain the policies, staff competencies, documentation, and quality processes that supported their initial accreditation and remain in good standing with ACHM.
Information regarding the current recognition term and renewal requirements will be provided as part of the Safety CAQ accreditation process.
Understanding the Clinical Hyperbaric Safety CAQ
The Safety CAQ Is:
A facility-level ACHM recognition process focused on hyperbaric safety, clinical standards, team competency, operational preparedness, and quality.
The Safety CAQ Is Not:
-
An individual professional certification -
A physician board certification -
An ACHM Fellowship designation -
A hyperbaric medicine training course -
A guarantee of licensure, payer approval, or regulatory compliance
The Clinical Hyperbaric Safety CAQ and ACHM Facility Accreditation refer to the same facility-level program.
Why Facilities Pursue the Clinical Hyperbaric Safety CAQ
Demonstrate a Commitment to Safety
Strengthen Facility Readiness
Reinforce Team Competency
Support Ongoing Quality
- Safe facilities.
- Confident care.
- A stronger future for hyperbaric medicine.
What is the Clinical Hyperbaric Safety CAQ?
The Clinical Hyperbaric Safety Certificate of Added Qualification is an ACHM facility-level recognition program focused on hyperbaric safety, clinical standards, team competency, operational preparedness, and quality.
Is the Clinical Hyperbaric Safety CAQ awarded to a facility or an individual?
The Clinical Hyperbaric Safety CAQ is awarded to qualifying hyperbaric facilities.
Individual physicians, nurses, technologists, safety directors, and administrators may participate in the review process, but the recognition itself applies to the facility.
Is the Clinical Hyperbaric Safety CAQ the same as ACHM Facility Accreditation?
Yes.
ACHM has confirmed that Clinical Hyperbaric Safety CAQ, Facility Accreditation, and references to ACHM-accredited sites refer to the same facility-level program.
What types of facilities can apply?
The Clinical Hyperbaric Safety CAQ is available to qualifying hospital-based, office-based, and free-standing hyperbaric facilities that provide hyperbaric oxygen therapy and meet ACHM’s current program eligibility requirements.
What does ACHM review during the application process?
The review may include facility and organizational information, leadership and governance, staff training and competency, clinical standards and safety protocols, quality and outcomes, and overall facility readiness.
Is an on-site evaluation required?
Yes. As part of the Clinical Hyperbaric Safety CAQ accreditation process, qualifying facilities undergo a site evaluation and accreditation visit after their application materials and supporting documentation have been reviewed and accepted by ACHM.
How long does the Safety CAQ process take?
Current ACHM materials indicate that a decision and certificate may be issued within approximately 90 days of a complete application and review.
VERIFY BEFORE FINAL: Confirm the current timeline.
How long does Clinical Hyperbaric Safety CAQ recognition last?
Typically a decision and certificate will be issued within approximately 90 days of a complete application and review.
The Clinical Hyperbaric Safety Certificate of Added Qualification is an ACHM facility-level recognition program focused on hyperbaric safety, clinical standards, team competency, operational preparedness, and quality.
The Clinical Hyperbaric Safety CAQ is awarded to qualifying hyperbaric facilities.
Individual physicians, nurses, technologists, safety directors, and administrators may participate in the review process, but the recognition itself applies to the facility.
Yes.
ACHM has confirmed that Clinical Hyperbaric Safety CAQ, Facility Accreditation, and references to ACHM-accredited sites refer to the same facility-level program.
The Clinical Hyperbaric Safety CAQ is available to qualifying hospital-based, office-based, and free-standing hyperbaric facilities that provide hyperbaric oxygen therapy and meet ACHM’s current program eligibility requirements.
The review may include facility and organizational information, leadership and governance, staff training and competency, clinical standards and safety protocols, quality and outcomes, and overall facility readiness.
Yes. As part of the Clinical Hyperbaric Safety CAQ accreditation process, qualifying facilities undergo a site evaluation and accreditation visit after their application materials and supporting documentation have been reviewed and accepted by ACHM.
Current ACHM materials indicate that a decision and certificate may be issued within approximately 90 days of a complete application and review.
VERIFY BEFORE FINAL: Confirm the current timeline.
Typically a decision and certificate will be issued within approximately 90 days of a complete application and review.
Ready to Begin the Clinical Hyperbaric Safety CAQ Process?
Facilities considering ACHM Facility Accreditation should begin by reviewing the current eligibility, documentation, safety, and quality requirements.
Apply for the Clinical Hyperbaric Safety CAQ
Contact ACHM About Facility Accreditation