Michigan lawmakers push for hyperbaric chamber oversight after fatal explosion

In response to the tragic death of 5-year-old Thomas Cooper in a hyperbaric explosion at the Oxford Center in Troy, two Metro Detroit lawmakers are planning to introduce legislation aimed at enhancing oversight of hyperbaric oxygen chambers in Michigan this spring. The incident, which shocked the community and raised alarm about the safety of such facilities, underscores the urgent need for improved regulations.

Democratic State Senator Stephanie Chang, who knows the area well, expressed her horror at the incident and emphasized the importance of the proposed legislation. She is collaborating with Democratic State Representative Sharon MacDonell, who represents Troy, to create measures that will not only enhance safety but also ensure that hyperbaric services are restricted to accredited facilities. Currently, only two accredited centers exist in Michigan, highlighting a significant gap in statewide regulation.

The new legislation seeks to establish guidelines that would require hyperbaric therapy facilities to be accredited by the Undersea & Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS), which currently supports increased regulatory oversight. Dr. Owen O'Neill, president of UHMS, stated that all hyperbaric facilities should meet mandatory accreditation standards to protect patient safety and that those lacking accreditation should not be funded by insurance or permitted to provide treatments.

To prevent future incidents similar to the one in Troy, UHMS plans to collaborate with regulatory bodies to develop comprehensive licensing criteria for hyperbaric medicine facilities. Such measures aim to ensure that facilities adhere to proper safety protocols and are inspected rigorously by trained experts rather than relying on cursory evaluations.

Legal consequences are already unfolding for the individuals involved in the incident, with the founder of the Oxford Center and several employees facing serious charges, including second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter. Meanwhile, Cooper's family, represented by Fieger Law, is advocating strongly for the passage of the proposed legislation to ensure better safety for future patients receiving hyperbaric oxygen therapy.