1/600
flights has an on-board request for medical assistance.
Most
common complaints on board include: syncope, respiratory
complaints, and GI complaints. Most of the time, these are
exacerbations of underlying chronic conditions.
Except for situations involving gross
negligence, the Aviation Assistance Act protects providers from
legal action as long as they are acting within their scope of
practice.
Flight crew are CPR and AED
trained.
The
onboard medical kit includes: epinephrine, dextrose, nitroglycerin,
NSAIDs, injectable antihistamine, antiemetic, steroids,
beta-blocker, aspirin, stethoscope, BP cuff, airway tools,
thermometer and more.
There
is ground-based medical control for consult and
guidance.
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