HONOLULU — Hawaii’s only public means of treatment for divers with decompression sickness has reopened after closing in October due to a physician coverage shortage.
HONOLULU — Hawaii’s only public means of treatment for divers with decompression sickness has reopened after closing in October due to a physician coverage shortage.
KITV-TV reports the University of Hawaii at Manoa last week reopened its hyperbaric treatment center that provides around-the-clock services.
John A. Burns School of Medicine Dean Jerris Hedges says reopening the center was a top priority for the university and school. The university has recruited nine doctors since the facility closed.
The next nearest public hyperbaric center to Hawaii is on Guam or on the mainland.
Decompression sickness is the result of gases forming bubbles in tissue, which can happen as surrounding pressure drops when divers surface.
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Information from: KITV-TV, http://www.kitv.com/index.html
