What Researchers Did
Researchers conducted a retrospective observational study in Switzerland to assess the impact of collaboration between the Swiss Air-Ambulance (Rega) and the Divers Alert Network (DAN) on patient selection for hyperbaric oxygen therapy following diving accidents between 2005 and 2014.
What They Found
Out of 116 diving accident patients treated by Rega over 10 years, 82% (95 patients) were male with a mean age of 40 years. When a Rega physician suspected decompression injury without DAN contact, 96% (27/28) of patients were transported to a hyperbaric oxygen facility, compared to 84% (53/63) when DAN was involved. DAN was consulted in 69% (66/96) of suspected decompression injury cases, showing a significant increase over time (p = 0.001).
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients experiencing diving accidents could benefit from similar collaborations between emergency services and diving medical specialists. Such partnerships may help ensure appropriate and timely transport to hyperbaric oxygen therapy, avoiding unnecessary transfers for some patients.
Canadian Relevance
While this study was conducted in Switzerland, its findings on specialist consultation for diving accidents are relevant to Canada, which has extensive coastlines and numerous lakes where recreational diving occurs.
Study Limitations
As a retrospective observational study, it is subject to inherent limitations such as potential for selection bias and reliance on existing medical records.