In-Flight Medical Emergencies: A Practical Guide to Preparedness and Response

Description

This book is a practical guide for health care professionals encountering medical emergencies during commercial flight. Health care providers should consider responding to emergencies during flight as there are often no other qualified individuals on board. This text covers the most common emergencies encountered during flight, both general medical emergencies and those specifically tied to the effects of flying, including cardiac, respiratory, and neurological issues. Medicolegal issues are considered in depth, for both United States domestic and international flights, as there is potential legal risk involved in giving medical assistance on a flight. Additional chapters are dedicated to pre-flight clearance and the role non-physician healthcare providers can play. In-Flight Medical Emergencies: A Practical Guide to Preparedness and Response is an essential resource for not only physicians but all healthcare professionals who travel regularly

Key Features

• Covers common emergencies that occur during flight for the traveling physician
• Considers the pathophysiological differences of caring for a person on an airplane
• Details medicolegal issues for domestic and international flights

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Pathophysiology of Flight
3. Medicolegal Issues Arising from Inflight Medical Emergencies in Commercial Travel
4. International Flight Considerations
5. In-Flight Evaluation and Management of Cardiac Illness
6. Respiratory Emergencies
7. Neurological Illness
8. Psychiatric Emergencies
9. Pediatric Considerations
10. Obstetrics and Gynecology Considerations
11. Infectious Disease
12. Other Presentations
13. Preflight Medical Clearance
14. Preflight Therapies to Minimize Medical Risk Associated with Commercial Air Travel
15. Ground Based Medical Support
16. Use of Commercial Aircraft for Emergency Patient Transport
17. Responding As a Non-Physician Healthcare Provider

Editors Biography

Jose V. Nable, MD, is Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at Georgetown University School of Medicine and Medical Director at Georgetown Emergency Response Medical Service.

William Brady, MD, is Professor of Emergency Medicine at the University of Virginia School of Medicine and Operational Medical Director of Albemarle County Fire Rescue. He has worked extensively in travel medicine and related inflight medical events.