The Evaluation of In-Flight Medical Care Aboard Selected U.S. Air Carriers: 1996 to 1997
Abstract
Medical care in-flight and the FAA-mandated medical kit have been studied for many years. This study includes a detailed correlation between in-flight medical care, patient response in-flight, and post-flight follow-up, in an effort to evaluate in-flight medical care delivery on US airlines and re-evaluate the FAA-mandated in-flight medical kit. A survey of five US domestic air carriers from October 1, 1996, to September 30, 1997, showed 1132 in-flight medical incidents. These airlines accounted for approximately 22% of scheduled US domestic enplanements during the period. There was good overall agreement between in-flight and post-flight diagnoses (70% of cases), and passenger condition improved in a majority of cases (60%), suggesting that in-flight diagnoses were generally accurate and treatment was appropriate. Results indicated that bronchodilator inhalers, oral antihistamines, and non-narcotic analgesics, all of which were obtained from other passengers, were used frequently enough to support a suggestion to include them in the medical kit.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA377878
Entities
People
- Alex M. Wolbrink
- Charles A. Dejohn
- David W. Smith
- Julie G. Larcher
- Stephen J. Veronneau
Organizations
- Federal Aviation Administration