The Significance of a Cooperative Medical System for Treating Decompression Illness on the Izu Peninsula in Japan

Abstract

Introduction-In 2011, our hospital on the Izu peninsula began to hold meetings to discuss how to manage patients with decompression illness (DCI) to establish a cooperative medical system. We retrospectively investigated the influence of these meetings and the changes subsequently effected. Methods-A medical chart review was retrospectively performed to investigate all cases between January 2005 and December 2017 in which the transport of patients with DCI via a physician-staffed helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) was attempted. The patients were divided into 2 groups: the preprogram group and the postprogram group. Results-There were 63 patients in the preprogram group and 65 in the postprogram group. There were no cases in which a patient's symptoms deteriorated during transportation by the HEMS. The frequency of dispatch to the scene for direct evacuation in the postprogram group (86%) was greater than that in the preprogram group (74%), but the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.09). In the postprogram group, the duration of activities at the scene or the first aid hospital was significantly shorter in comparison to the preprogram group (P=0.01). Conclusions-This retrospective study revealed simultaneity between the introduction of the yearly meetings and a reduced duration of the HEMS staff's activity at either the scene or the first aid hospital.

Preliminary study of prehospital use of smart glasses

“…A physician‐staffed helicopter (helicopter emergency medical service [HEMS]) is based at Juntendo Shizuoka Hospital, and our department staff mainly treat severely ill or traumatized patients at the prehospital area. 10 Initially, we tried to use smart glasses (VUZIX M400; AVR Japan Corporation, Tokyo, Japan) at the prehospital area in HEMS. However, transmission of video or voice could not work smoothly because Izu peninsula is a mountainous area with poor mobile Wi‐Fi connectivity.…”

“…It is located in an area controlled by the fire department of Sunto Izu. A physician‐staffed helicopter (helicopter emergency medical service [HEMS]) is based at Juntendo Shizuoka Hospital, and our department staff mainly treat severely ill or traumatized patients at the prehospital area 10 . Initially, we tried to use smart glasses (VUZIX M400; AVR Japan Corporation, Tokyo, Japan) at the prehospital area in HEMS.…”

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“…Based on the rules of the medical cooperative system for DCS in Izu Peninsula, the fire department called a physician-staffed helicopter, known as a doctor helicopter (DH) in Japan. 5,6 He was transported to a near rendezvous point by the ambulance. When a physician transported by the DH checked him at 160 min from the onset of symptoms, his symptoms remained.…”

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