Abstract Introduction The purpose of this study was to perform a descriptive, content-based analysis on the different forms of documentation for in-flight medical emergencies that are currently provided in the emergency medical kits on board commercial airlines. Methods Passenger airlines in the World Airline Directory were contacted between March and May 2011. For each participating airline, sample in-flight medical emergency documentation forms were obtained. All items in the sample documentation forms were subjected to a descriptive analysis and compared to a sample "medical incident report" form published by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Results A total of 1,318 airlines were contacted. Ten airlines agreed to participate in the study and provided a copy of their documentation forms. A descriptive analysis revealed a total of 199 different items, which were summarized into five sub-categories: non-medical data (63), signs and symptoms (68), diagnosis (26), treatment (22) and outcome (20). Conclusions The data in this study illustrate a large variation in the documentation of in-flight medical emergencies by different airlines. A higher degree of standardization is preferable to increase the data quality in epidemiologic aeromedical research in the future.


    Access

    Download


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Medical emergencies on board commercial airlines: is documentation as expected?


    Additional title:

    Crit Care


    Contributors:

    Published in:

    Publication date :

    2012-03-07




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English




    Medical Emergencies in Commercial Air Transportation

    Eduard Missoni / Nataša Vuković Dijčinovski / Marin Stančić | DOAJ | 2006

    Free access

    Medical emergencies during commercial aircraft flights

    Ando, H. / Miyazaki, H. / Kabashima, T. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1994


    Commercial In-flight Medical Emergencies: An Increasing Safety Risk

    Mellin-Olsen, J. / Flight Safety Foundation / European Regions Airline Association | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2001


    Commercial perspective on emergencies

    British Library Online Contents | 1996