 |
The Diving Medical Center is a joint operation between the Badalveda Diving Medicine Center (BDMC) and Bangkok Hospital Phuket. |
|
| |
| |
| The aim being to provide a comprehensive health service for divers in Phuket, Krabi, Phang Nga and the surrounding regions The result is a world class medical service s that can treat any diving related illness or medical problem. Our objective is to treat diving community. |
| |
| |
|
| |
| |
| Services |
| |
| Bangkok Hospital Phuket has a team of doctors and nurses trained in underwater medicine and have gained their experience through working with the navy in either Thailand, the United States, or Australia. |
| |
| |
• |
24 hour, 7 days a week emergency room and re compression chamber |
| |
• |
24 hour Ambulance service that covers Phuket, Krabi,
Phang Nga, Koh Lak and Ranong |
| |
• |
Emergency phone number and radio frequency |
| |
• |
Air evacuation service (in conjunction with Royal Thai Navy) |
| |
• |
Multi language assistance – English, German, Russian,
Japanese, French, Italian, and Scandinavian languages |
| |
• |
International ward – Private rooms where patients can stay
for observation and ongoing treatment. |
| |
• |
MRI, X-ray and CT imaging |
| |
• |
Rehabilitation and physical therapy center |
|
|
| |
| |
| Why use the Diving Medicine Center at Bangkok Phuket Hospital? |
Treatment for injured divers is more than just providing a re-compression facility. It's about supplying total care for the patient. This includes ambulance service, X-ray and imaging, private rooms for observation after treatment and sometimes physical therapy and rehabilitation. All these services are offered at Bangkok Hospital Phuket.
The other benefit is that the patient is in the best place in case additional complications occur. Diving is one of the safest recreational activities in the world. But accidents can happen. If something does happen then you have the piece of mind that no matter what the problem may be, you are in a world class medical facility. |
|
| |
| |
| What equipment is used? |
The BDMC features a Sechirst 2500 monoplace chamber. Our monoplace chamber provides total privacy and comfort. The patient lies down during the course of their treatment and can watch TV, or listen to music.
Plus unlike multi place chambers the patient does not need to wear a mask for the entire process. The chamber is filled with 100% oxygen. All the patient needs to do is relax and breathe normally. The hospital also has access to multi place chamber facilities in case of multiple cases. |
|
| |
| |
| What are the symptoms and treatment for Decompression Sickness? |
| |
| Symptoms |
| |
• |
Altered responsiveness
|
| |
• |
Weakness/paralysis |
| |
• |
Pain around joints |
| |
• |
Difficulty breathing |
| |
• |
Vision or speech difficulty |
| |
• |
Numbness/ tingling sensations |
| |
• |
Rash or blotchy skin |
| |
• |
Other neurological symptoms |
| |
| Treatment |
| |
• |
Lay diver down flat |
| |
• |
Provide basic life support |
| |
• |
Provide as near to 100% oxygen as possible |
| |
• |
Give IV fluids (normal saline) |
| |
• |
Perform physical/neurological exam |
| |
| Record details of |
| |
• |
Dive time and profile |
| |
• |
Signs and symptoms |
| |
• |
First aid treatment. |
|
| |
| Even divers who have dived conservatively can get DCI. If you feel any of the above symptoms then please contact the hospital as soon as possible. By delaying treatment the diver runs the risk of causing more damage to themselves. |
| |
1) If you suspect you have DCI then please come to the emergency room at the hospital or you may call 076 25 44 25 to arrange for an ambulance. Our ambulance service can arrange collection from any where in Southern Thailand. Air evacuation is also available in emergency situations.
2) Once at the hospital you will see the ER doctor or Diving Medical Officer (DMO) who will ask about your symptoms and conduct a basic motor function test. A DMO is a doctor qualified in underwater medicine and hyperbaric chamber operation.
3) If the doctor suspect DCI then a chest x-ray will be conducted to determine the extent of the injury. Chest x ray are recommend before receiving treatment within a chamber. The x-ray helps identify pneumothorax -air trap in pleural cavity.
4) After the x ray the patient will placed in the chamber under supervision of DMO and DMT. When receiving chamber treatment it is essential to remove any items of clothing, jewelry, watches etc that may generate static electricity. These items can be hazardous in a pure oxygen environment . It is also essential to tell the physician if you are or may think you are pregnant.
5) How long your treatment will take is dependent upon your condition. Most patients receive a US Navy Treatment Table 6. This will take approximate 5 hours to complete.
6) After treatment you will be moved to a private room on the international ward for observation. The Diving Medical Officer will assess your condition and determine whether additional treatments are required. |
|
| |
| |
| Total care for divers |
| |
| |
The Diving Medicine Center at Bangkok Hospital Phuket can provide treatment for all diving related accidents or injuries. This includes |
| |
• |
Decompression treatment |
| |
• |
Marine animal injuries |
| |
• |
Ear barotraumas |
| |
• |
Near drowning incidents |
| |
• |
Heat exhaustion/Stroke |
| |
• |
Fractures |
| |
• |
Coral cut wounds |
| |
• |
Aquatic infections |
|
|
| |
| |
| The hospital also conducts |
| |
| |
The Diving Medicine Center at Bangkok Hospital Phuket can provide treatment for all diving related accidents or injuries. This includes |
| |
• |
Diving physical check ups |
| |
• |
Education programs for divers |
| |
• |
First aid classes |
| |
• |
Chamber orientation programs |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Center |
| |
| |
|
| |
| |
| |
| What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment? |
Hyperbaric Oxygen (HBO) treatment is the process of providing 100% oxygen at pressure higher than one atmosphere. As a result your body receives more oxygen than normal. This increase in oxygen can assist the body's natural healing process.
HBO technology was developed to treat divers, pilots, and astronauts, who have to work in pressurized environments. Due to advances in medical science doctors can now use HBO in treating many other diseases or aliments. |
|
| |
| |
| How does HBO treatment work? |
Body tissue needs oxygen. Breathing oxygen through a mask alone does not provide the same benefits as breathing oxygen under pressure. This is why the patient is placed within a Hyperbaric chamber. The pressure in the chamber causes oxygen to be dissolved into the blood approximate. 15 to 20 times greater than normal.
This leads to more oxygen being carried throughout the body. A process that has proven to help in the formation of capillaries within damaged tissue, increase blood circulation and help white blood cells fight against infection. |
|
| |
| |
| As a result the body heals at a much faster rate |
| |
| Uses of HBO |
| HBO has been used to treat a number of diseases and aliments. Examples include |
|
| |
| |
| Emergency conditions |
| |
• |
Diving related injuries
|
| |
• |
Decompression sickness |
| |
• |
Carbon monoxide poisoning |
| |
• |
Air or gas embolism |
| |
• |
Problem wounds and excessive bleeding |
| |
• |
Crush injuries |
|
| |
| |
| Permanent or long term problems |
| |
• |
Neurological problems such as swelling in the brain and spinal tissues |
| |
• |
Infections in bones and muscles e.g. Osteomyelitis or joint diseases |
| |
• |
Radiation tissue damage |
| |
• |
Diabetic wounds |
| |
• |
Skin grafts, and gangrene |
| |
• |
Motor neuron disorders such as multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy |
|
| |
| |
| Elective surgery |
| |
• |
Reducing the recovery time after aesthetic surgery |
| |
• |
Assisting in the recovery for sporting injuries |
|
| |
| |
| Permanent or long term problems |
| |
• |
HBO is non-invasive (it is not a surgical procedure) |
| |
• |
It has very few side effects |
| |
• |
Enhances the natural healing process of your body's |
| |
• |
Enhances the effectiveness of conventional therapy |
|
| |
| |
| How long will the treatment last? |
| HBO treatments can take between 1 1/2 to maybe 3 hours depending on your condition. The number of treatments you require will be determined with your Physician |
|
| |
| |
| HBO treatment at Bangkok Phuket Hospital? |
| In most cases HBO treatment is used in conjunction with other forms of therapy and treatment. That is why it is essential to have access to other facilities such as MRI or CT scanning and Physical therapy/ Rehabilitation centres that can assist in the overall treatment of the patient. The other main benefit is that in most cases the treatment rate is significantly lower than what a patient may experience in their home country. Patients also have a greater level of flexibility when scheduling treatment hours. |
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| For further information or appointment, please contact |
|
| |
| |
| |
| Service Hours |
| |
| |
Open Daily : 8.00 am to 5.00 pm |
|
| |
|
| |
| |
| |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
