mike_s
Contributor
According to this, Divers can no longer be treated for dive emergencies in the chamber in Panama City. A second story says just no treatment after hours....
Dive Locker News, BAY MEDICAL CENTER NO LONGER TREATING HYPERBARIC EMERGENCIES!!!
The only reason given, was "upper management decision"...in other words...it wasn't profitable, guess DAN Insurance doesn't pay enough.
I also found this story that is only a few days old, but says they just won't treat after hours.
NewsHerald.com - Headlines
Dive Locker News, BAY MEDICAL CENTER NO LONGER TREATING HYPERBARIC EMERGENCIES!!!
BAY MEDICAL CENTER NO LONGER TREATING HYPERBARIC EMERGENCIES!!!
For all you Panhandle Divers that push the limits...DON'T!
Bay Medical Center just called and told us that as of November 1, 2007, they will no longer provide emergency hyperbaric treatment...
That means... their chamber is not available to BENT Divers...unless it's by appointment (?) so if you get bent and you can't get in the chamber at the base...Tallahassee is the closest place to go.
For all you Panhandle Divers that push the limits...DON'T!
Bay Medical Center just called and told us that as of November 1, 2007, they will no longer provide emergency hyperbaric treatment...
That means... their chamber is not available to BENT Divers...unless it's by appointment (?) so if you get bent and you can't get in the chamber at the base...Tallahassee is the closest place to go.
The only reason given, was "upper management decision"...in other words...it wasn't profitable, guess DAN Insurance doesn't pay enough.
I also found this story that is only a few days old, but says they just won't treat after hours.
NewsHerald.com - Headlines
Hyperbaric cuts to ease pressure on BMC budget
November 12, 2007
By David Angier News Herald Writer 747-5077
dangier@pcnh.com
PANAMA CITY
Divers in Bay County waters will have to be straightened out in Tallahassee if they get the bends after 5 p.m.
Rick Smith, Bay Medical Center vice president of outpatient services, said Friday the center’s hyperbaric chamber no longer will be available after hours. He said patients who come in for emergency treatment after 5 p.m. will be transported to Tallahassee.
Smith said nine divers suffering from expanded nitrogen bubbles in their joints because of rapid depressurization — called “the bends” — were treated this year after hours. He said that small a number of patients doesn’t justify the medical center keeping three people on call 24 hours a day and paying overtime if they do have to respond to an emergency situation.
The chamber was used this year to treat 1,377 people for various conditions, including ulcers and non-healing wounds.
Smith said the reduction in salary expense easily will offset the cost of transporting those few patients to Tallahassee.
Smith said he didn’t know if any of the nine divers treated this year were at high risk if they didn’t receive immediate treatment.
Divers have been treated in emergency situations at Naval Support Activity-Panama City.
Smith said several hospitals in the state are closing hyperbaric chambers after hours and transporting to central locations for treatment. He said the service is not a core service of the medical center.
“We’re looking to reduce expenses where ever possible,” Smith said. “We operate on such a slim margin.”
November 12, 2007
By David Angier News Herald Writer 747-5077
dangier@pcnh.com
PANAMA CITY
Divers in Bay County waters will have to be straightened out in Tallahassee if they get the bends after 5 p.m.
Rick Smith, Bay Medical Center vice president of outpatient services, said Friday the center’s hyperbaric chamber no longer will be available after hours. He said patients who come in for emergency treatment after 5 p.m. will be transported to Tallahassee.
Smith said nine divers suffering from expanded nitrogen bubbles in their joints because of rapid depressurization — called “the bends” — were treated this year after hours. He said that small a number of patients doesn’t justify the medical center keeping three people on call 24 hours a day and paying overtime if they do have to respond to an emergency situation.
The chamber was used this year to treat 1,377 people for various conditions, including ulcers and non-healing wounds.
Smith said the reduction in salary expense easily will offset the cost of transporting those few patients to Tallahassee.
Smith said he didn’t know if any of the nine divers treated this year were at high risk if they didn’t receive immediate treatment.
Divers have been treated in emergency situations at Naval Support Activity-Panama City.
Smith said several hospitals in the state are closing hyperbaric chambers after hours and transporting to central locations for treatment. He said the service is not a core service of the medical center.
“We’re looking to reduce expenses where ever possible,” Smith said. “We operate on such a slim margin.”
