An evaluation of in-flight medical care in the U.S.
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.
DeJohn
Charles A
CA
FAA Civil Aerospace Medical Institute, Oklahoma City, OK 73125-5066, USA. charles.dejohn@faa.gov
Wolbrink
Alex M
AM
Véronneau
Stephen J H
SJ
Larcher
Julie G
JG
Smith
David W
DW
Garrett
Joan S
JS
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