What Researchers Did
Researchers looked at patient attendance data before and after a full-time registered nurse was added to a hyperbaric department to see if it improved patient compliance.
What They Found
The study found that adding a full-time registered nurse, along with nurse-led education and follow-up, significantly reduced canceled hyperbaric appointments. The risk of cancellation was 11% higher before these nursing interventions were in place. Patients were 107% more likely to cancel appointments in departments without a dedicated registered nurse role.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
For Canadian patients undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy, this suggests that having dedicated nursing support and education could help them complete their full course of treatment. Improved patient compliance means more patients might experience the full benefits of their prescribed HBOT.
Canadian Relevance
No direct Canadian connection identified.
Study Limitations
A limitation of this study is its retrospective design, which relies on existing data and may not account for all influencing factors.