Author Interviews, Emergency Care, NEJM / 30.05.2013

MedicalResearch.com eInterview with: Adam Z. Tobias, MD, MPH Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Pittsburgh, PA  15261Adam 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…)