Reimer Hyperbarics Of Canada, Elmira, ON

Mr. Reimer is in his 70s and is in very poor health, he has severe cardiac and respiratory issues. He is the only person operating the chamber and the facility! This is in direct contravention of all industry standards in Diving, Construction and Medical applications. The large chamber DOES NOT OPERATE WITH AN INTERIOR OPERATOR! There is NO ONE INSIDE THE CHAMBER to regularly assist the patient or be available in an emergency (and there have been some). This is an extremely hazardous and dangerous procedure that unduly risks the safety of any and all patients. Being the only operator on the premises is EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. Mr. Reimer once had a heart attack while the chamber was occupied by patients. Fortunately, there was a non-employee/patient present at the time who was able to safely evacuate the patients. Mr. Reimer may be a brilliant engineer (he did design and manufacture the chamber in compliance with all technical and engineering standards), but he possesses no medical training in the medical aspects of Hyperbaric Medicine, nor does he have any other advanced medical training to determine a patient's eligibility or skilled ability to triage any patient for treatment, other than he has operating costs. Potential patients must understand that the body's response is dose sensitive to oxygen. Meaning not all diseases, illnesses and injuries are treated at the same pressure or the same duration. Mr. Reimer typically will put conflicting medical conditions in the same chamber with the same treatment time and pressure as a cost effective measure and a scheduling convenience; there is little accommodation for the individuality of the various diagnosises. This practice has included patients with infectious disease riding in the chamber with patients having physical disability. There is no company Standard or professional practice for infection control at the facility. As a Director of a Hospital Based Hyperbaric facility, I do not offer these comments lightly. I am a strong advocate for the advancement of Hyperbaric Medicine. To criticize a colleague is not a minor matter. These comments are not a matter of opinion. I have personally and professionally known Mr. Reimer since he began his career in our profession. As matter of fact, he, Susan (his wife), and his business partner (Don) came to my facility in February 2000 to train. I have, in the past taken medical students to his facility for advanced training. With the passing of his wife, who was the medical expert for the clinic, Mr. Reimer has not taken the responsibility to ensure patient safety by having another trained person on staff, nor has he taken any academic courses, let alone gained any certification in the medical aspects of hyperbaric medicine. I offer this not as a criticism of a business competitor but as a concerned professional with intimate knowledge of the operation of a colleague's treatment facility. Mr. Reimer has also professionally admitted that he carries NO INSURANCE in his operation!! it has been his expressed opinion that he cannot afford it, neither does he consider it to be necessary. It is a said state of affairs when a patient has to verify the insured liability of their health care provider. Patients attending Reimer Hyperbarics of Canada do so at their own risk, and it is rather large when professionally scrutinized. Yours truly Gordon Ward PhD