Author Interviews, Emergency Care, NEJM / 30.05.2013
Researchers Advocate for Tracking of all In-Flight Medical Emergencies
MedicalResearch.com eInterview with:
Adam Z. Tobias, MD, MPH
Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Pittsburgh, PA 15261
MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings of the study?
Answer: We reviewed records of 11,920 in-flight medical emergency calls from five domestic and international commercial airlines to a physician-staffed medical communications center at the University of Pittsburgh. We found that during the study period, there was one medical emergency per 604 flights (16 per 1 million passengers). The most common problems were syncope or pre-syncope, respiratory symptoms, and nausea and vomiting. Aircraft diversion to an alternative landing site occurred just over 7% of the time. About one quarter of patients were transported to a hospital and only 8.6% were admitted.
(more…)
Adam Z. Tobias, MD, MPH
Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Pittsburgh, PA 15261
MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings of the study?
Answer: We reviewed records of 11,920 in-flight medical emergency calls from five domestic and international commercial airlines to a physician-staffed medical communications center at the University of Pittsburgh. We found that during the study period, there was one medical emergency per 604 flights (16 per 1 million passengers). The most common problems were syncope or pre-syncope, respiratory symptoms, and nausea and vomiting. Aircraft diversion to an alternative landing site occurred just over 7% of the time. About one quarter of patients were transported to a hospital and only 8.6% were admitted.
(more…)