An Evaluation of In-Flight Medical Care in the U.S.

Charles A. DeJohn, Alex M. Wolbrink, Stephen J. H.Véronneau, Julie G. Larcher, David W. Smith, and Joan S. Garrett
Aviat Space Environ Med 2002; 73:580-6

Abstract

Background: In-flight medical care has been studied for many years. In an effort to evaluate in-flight medical care delivery on U.S. airlines, this study includes a detailed correlation between in-flight medical care, patient response, and postflight follow-up. Methods: A survey of five U.S. 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 U.S. domestic enplanements during the period. Results: Results indicate that there was good overall agreement between in-flight and postflight diagnoses (79% of cases), and passenger condition improved in a majority of cases (60%). Conclusions: The results suggest that in-flight diagnoses were generally accurate and treatment appropriate.

Keywords: diagnosis, patient care, emergency medicine, aviation.

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Table of Contents for Volume 73, Number 6 of the ASME journal.