An Overview of In-flight Medical Care

Han, Bok Soon

Abstract

Medical issues in the air such as in-flight deaths, diversions, deliveries have gained increasing publicity. In-flight medical emergencies are expected to increase because air travel continues to expand and as more elderly or invalid passengers often wish to fly long distances. The protection of passenger health is an important obligation of airlines. Most airlines have prepared many resources for in-flight medical care. Resources may include emergency medical kits including medications, portable oxygen bottles and automated external defibrillator (AED), trained flight attendants with available in-flight medical care. Furthermore, air to ground communication systems are prepared. Although the number of serious medical events is very small, despite increased airline's efforts, physician passengers are occasionally called upon to care for the ill or injured passengers at any time. Medical liability has always been in the mind of physicians called upon to treat a patient in-flight. Therefore, fear of liability is cited as a major reason for physicians reluctance to offer assistance. New legislation that would require all commercial flights to carry AEDs should also include a "Good Samaritan" provision that exempts from liability physicians who step forward to offer assistance in-flight medical emergency. Physicians take an important role in case of in-flight medical emergencies. This paper describes the multiple in-flight resources to be used by physician passengers who is called upon to help passengers in the cabin.