The rate of medical emergencies aboard commercial flights is increasing. This is probably due to the higher number of chronically ill and/or old travelers. This study has analyzed files of patients assisted by Centro Internazionale Radio Medico (CIRM) on board airplanes from January 1st 2001 to December 31st 2008. In this period CIRM has assisted 165 patients on board aircraft (50.91% males, 49.09% females). Passengers accounted for the 89.70% of cases, crew members for the 10.30%. Pathologies assisted involved to a greater extent digestive system (18.18%), circulatory system (13.94%), respiratory system (12.73%), nervous system (12.12%) and genitourinary system (10.91%) disorders. Approximately 57% of patients improved and 28.5% were unchanged, whereas in the 6.7% of cases flight diversion was necessary. The availability of epidemiological data may help for developing standardized operative procedures and approaches for guaranteeing the best care to ill patients on board airplanes.
In-Flight Pathologies and Medical Emergencies Assisted By Centro Internazionale Radio Medico (CIRM).
AMENTA, Francesco;GRAPPASONNI, Iolanda;
2010-01-01
Abstract
The rate of medical emergencies aboard commercial flights is increasing. This is probably due to the higher number of chronically ill and/or old travelers. This study has analyzed files of patients assisted by Centro Internazionale Radio Medico (CIRM) on board airplanes from January 1st 2001 to December 31st 2008. In this period CIRM has assisted 165 patients on board aircraft (50.91% males, 49.09% females). Passengers accounted for the 89.70% of cases, crew members for the 10.30%. Pathologies assisted involved to a greater extent digestive system (18.18%), circulatory system (13.94%), respiratory system (12.73%), nervous system (12.12%) and genitourinary system (10.91%) disorders. Approximately 57% of patients improved and 28.5% were unchanged, whereas in the 6.7% of cases flight diversion was necessary. The availability of epidemiological data may help for developing standardized operative procedures and approaches for guaranteeing the best care to ill patients on board airplanes.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.