NTL Record

Title Response Capability during Civil Air Carrier Inflight Medical Emergencies
Record ID 39551
Personal Name
Creator
Hordinsky, J.R.; George, Mark H.
Corporate Creator Civil Aeromedical Institute
Corporate
Contributor
United States. Office of Aviation Medicine
Publisher Civil Aerospace Medical Institute
Publication Date 19910300
Language English
Abstract Expanded civil aircraft medical emergency kits have been mandated on U.S. carriers since August 1986. Airlines provided the Federal Aviation Agency reports on medical kit usage and outcomes of the associated medical emergencies; 1,016 inflight medical events during the period August 1, 1986, through July 31, 1987, were available for review. Physicians responded to the emergencies in over 63: of the occurrences; the two most prevalent presenting situation were chest pain and syncopal episodes. Nine passengers died on board aircraft, and at least three deaths occurred post-landing. A minimum of 89 of the total cases resulted in flight diversions. The sphygmomanometer (739 cases) and stethoscope (734 cases) were the most frequently used kit items; orophatyngeal air ways were utilized in 14 cases. Since standardized reporting formats are not required, evaluation of response capability remains incomplete. Although an additional year of medical emergency kit usage remains to be reported, mandatory reporting of use to the FAA has not been required since July 1988.
Rosap ID dot:21332
Rosap URL https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/21332
TRT Terms Airlines; Emergency medical services; Medical equipment; Emergency response time; Data collection; Medical case reports
General Subjects Airlines; Emergency medical services--Utilization; First aid in illness and injury; Medical emergencies
Classification NTL - AVIATION - Aviation Safety/Airworthiness;
NTL - SAFETY AND SECURITY - Aviation Safety/Airworthiness
Geographical
Coverage
United States
Report Number DOT/FAA/AM-91/3
Resource type Tech Report
URL https://ntlrepository.blob.core.windows.net/lib/39000/39500/39551/AM91-03.PDF
Format PDF
Database NTL Digital Repository