Aviat Space Envir Md
-
Aviat Space Envir Md · Dec 1989
Response capability during civil air carrier inflight medical emergencies.
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. ⋯ 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; oropharyngeal airways were utilized in 14 cases. Since standardized reporting formats are not required, evaluation of response capability remains incomplete.