Original Article
Analysis of in-flight emergency medical events resulted in an alternate landing or return of an airline from 2017 to 2019
Wang Haifeng, Lu Jiangmin, Peng Weinian
Published 2022-12-15
Cite as Chin J Aerospace Med, 2022, 33(4): 223-227. DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.cn113854-20220906-00113
Abstract
ObjectiveTo analyze the characteristics and causes of in-flight emergency medical events resulted in an alternate landing or return from 2017 to 2019, and explore the coping strategies of in-flight emergency medical events.
MethodsRetrospective study was used. The in-flight emergency medical events of an airline from 2017 to 2019 were collected, and the age distribution of passengers who resulted in an alternate landing or return was calculated. The sudden diseases of passengers were classified according to the standards of International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th Revision (ICD-10), and the survival of special passengers after an alternate landing or return was counted.
Results①There were 3 696 cases of in-flight emergency medical events, 84 (2.27%) of which resulted in an alternate landing or return. The total incidence of in-flight emergency medical events resulted in an alternate landing or return was 0.201/106 among passengers. The incidence of in-flight medical emergency medical events resulted in an alternate landing or return among passengers decreased from 2017 to 2019, and the difference was statistically significant (χ2=515.85, P<0.001). ②There was significant difference among different age groups (χ2=10.90, P=0.012). The incidence of in-flight emergency medical events resulted in an alternate landing or return was higher among people under 20 and over 60 years old, and the constituent ratio was 34.52%. ③Circulation system diseases (44.05%) was the commonest in the in-flight emergency medical events resulted in an alternate landing or return, then followed by nervous system diseases (15.48%) and digestive system diseases (13.10%). ④Among the passengers in the in-flight emergency medical events resulted in an alternate landing or return, 6 cases died, aged 6-73 years old, including 2 cases of cancer and 4 cases of sudden cardiac death.
ConclusionsAviation health education of passengers, pre-flight medical audit and crew first aid training should be strengthened to reduce the occurrence of in-flight emergency medical events.
Key words:
Diseases; Aircraft; Emergency medical events; Passengers
Contributor Information
Wang Haifeng
Aviation Health Center of China Southern Airlines Co. Ltd., Guangzhou 510405, China
Lu Jiangmin
Aviation Health Center of China Southern Airlines Co. Ltd., Guangzhou 510405, China
Peng Weinian
Aviation Health Center of China Southern Airlines Co. Ltd., Guangzhou 510405, China
