title: An evaluation of in-flight medical care in the U.S.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In-flight medical care has been studied for many years. In an effort to evaluate in-flight medical care delivery on U.S. airlines, this study includes a detailed correlation between in-flight medical care, patient response, and postflight follow-up.
  
  
  METHODS
  A survey of five U.S. domestic air carriers from October 1, 1996 to September 30, 1997 showed 1132 in-flight medical incidents. These airlines accounted for approximately 22% of scheduled U.S. domestic enplanements during the period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results indicate that there was good overall agreement between in-flight and postflight diagnoses (79% of cases), and passenger condition improved in a majority of cases (60%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest that in-flight diagnoses were generally accurate and treatment appropriate.
authors.affiliation: FAA Civil Aerospace Medical Institute, Oklahoma City, OK 73125-5066, USA. charles.dejohn@faa.gov
authors.forename: Charles A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: DeJohn
authors.forename: Alex M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Wolbrink
authors.forename: Stephen J H
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Véronneau
authors.forename: Julie G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Larcher
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Joan S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Garrett
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000337:Aerospace Medicine; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004638:Emergency Treatment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014195:Travel; D014481:United States