Registered Nurses in Hyperbaric Medicine: Increasing Patient Compliance with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy.

INTRODUCTION

A quantitative analysis explored whether adding a full-time registered nurse (RN) and implementing nurse-led education and follow-up within the hyperbaric department affects patient treatment compliance and daily attendance rates.

METHODS

Data from two seven-month periods of hyperbaric appointments were retrospectively reviewed. Period One consists of canceled appointments from January to July 2023, when there was no dedicated nursing role in the department. Period 2 consists of canceled appointments from January to July 2024, following the addition of a full-time RN to the staffing matrix and the integration of nurse-led education into the department's workflow.

RESULTS

A chi-square test of the data showed a significant association (p < 0.001) between the addition of a full-time RN, nurse-led education, and follow-ups, and the number of canceled hyperbaric appointments. The estimated risk of cancellation prior to the interventions was 0.11, 11% higher than the rate after a dedicated nursing role was implemented (p-value < 0.001 and 95% CI for the proportion difference (0.087-0.13)). The odds of patients canceling hyperbaric appointments are 107% higher in departments without a dedicated RN role (p < 0.001). The OR=2.07, 95% CI (1.78 - 2.4).

DISCUSSION: After reviewing attendance data across two seven-month periods, it was concluded that there was an average decrease of 11% in missed appointments following the integration of a full-time RN, nurse-led education, and patient follow-up. Nursing involvement has been shown to improve compliance rates among hyperbaric patients.