Shands UF Hyperbaric Chamber Closed.

[Skybluewater]

Hello,

If you don't already know, my name is Jonathan Pitt, and I'm an NSS-CDS Cave diver. You might have seen me at the July 4th social... hello all!

Unfortunately I have bad news.

The point of why I am writing this: I will start by saying that I work part time at the hyperbaric chamber for Shands at UF. Recently I have been informed that they are cutting back the operation of the hyperbaric department.

Evidently there are an inadequate number of people employed in hyperbaric or Shands administration that are concerned enough and take seriously the safety and well being of divers in north central Florida.

The official word at this time is that the hyperbaric chamber at Shands UF is no longer available for treating the Bends or DCS or other emergencies.

You get bent at Ginnie Springs and you can't go to Shands....

How long or why is this? I've been told, there is a lack of staff to operate and be attendants and cover being on call after hours. I have been told that this is only a minor reason.

The most important or major reason is that the critical care medicine service at Shands UF does not want to provide doctors for hyperbaric coverage anymore... apparently they are stretched too thin providing care to the Shands ICU's. Dr. Gabrielli and Dr. Layon are the driving force behind how resources are allocated with critical care medicine service, and they seem to be unwilling or unable to support hyperbaric.

I've been told the hyperbaric chamber needs a dedicated doctor to be the medical manager of the facility. In the past the chamber has been managed by the respiratory and nursing staff and only superficially has critical care doctors been involved and it's been operating well that way for many years.

I am just the messenger and a concerned diver. I am not 100% confident in the accuracy of all my statements above.

If you want to express your concerns, want more information, or want to provide help in some way.

Please contact Patty Boyte.

phone number: 352-514-5772
email: boytep@shands.ufl.edu

Patty Boyte needs your support. Please make contact with her by phone or email. There will be a meeting with Dr. Gabrielli and Dr. Layon and hyperbaric management staff next week.


TheDecoStop has a few replies to this topic also, perhaps it may be useful?
http://thedecostop.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39528




National health care problems unfortunately seem to be personal now.


Thanks for listening!

Safe Diving!

Jonathan

[LiteHedded]

so where is the next closest chamber to high springs?

[TonyDCaver]

Are they only short MDs or are they in need of RNs? My father is looking for a new place to work, he is a certified diver but has not worked with a chamber before.

-Tony DC

[caverkevin]

This is bad news!

Time to start a letter writing campaign?

[amphipod06]

This is bad news!

Time to start a letter writing campaign?

Shoot, we need to get lab Rat to Shands after he finishes his fellowship at Duke, I can PRN as chamber tender RN!!

Dive safe,

Celia

[caverkevin]

I just blasted off a email to Lab Rat bring this thread to his attention.

[Me]

Gang,

Remember to contact your reps and senators, because if Gov't Healthcare gets passed, this will be the norm, not an isolated incident.

Innovation and research will stop under single payer. "Unnecessary" services will cease to exist. Only the gov't will know what is necessary and what isn't. YOU WILL HAVE NO CHOICE.

Send those letters, emails and calls to your representatives as well!!

[adam0321]

I am an instructor at the naval diving and salvage training center, we are located in panama city florida. on our base we have six recompression chambers. three of witch you can put cars inside. we take over all the treatment for bay county. i know we get civilians every now and then.

[RN]

The same thing happened at Bay Medical in Panama City about 1.5 years ago. The issue was budgetary. The hospital no longer wanted to pay staff to be on call for the 6 or so DCS cases they had each year. Financially, no one can really blame them. It does suck for those of us that may need it some day, though. Write your letters and e-mails, but don't hold your breath.

[UCFKnightDiver]

Tallahassee has a nice one at CRMC Capital Regional Medical Center thats a 24/7 operated chamber I believe, It is 2 hrs from High Springs