What Researchers Did
Researchers looked back at hospital records of overseas visitors in Queensland, Australia, to understand water-related injuries over three years.
What They Found
They found 296 overseas visitors had 596 hospital admissions for water-related injuries, with decompression illness being the main condition treated (54.7%). Fractures and dislocations accounted for 15.5% of cases, and drowning/non-fatal submersion for 14.9%. These patients occupied 1215 hospital bed days, with 90% of admissions occurring at regional hospitals, often involving multiple hyperbaric chamber treatments for decompression illness.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients travelling abroad, especially for diving, should be aware of the risks of decompression illness. This study highlights that hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a crucial treatment for such injuries. Adhering to safe diving practices is essential to prevent these conditions.
Canadian Relevance
This study covers decompression illness, which is a Health Canada-recognized indication for hyperbaric oxygen therapy (as decompression sickness).
Study Limitations
As a retrospective study, it relies on existing hospital records from a specific region and may not capture all incidents or details.