How can patients travel by plane?
Firstly, airlines generally do not allow sick passengers to board the aircraft. Because the risks are different according to the nature of different diseases. In such a situation, if something suddenly happens to the patient, other than first aid (primary treatment) and oxygen supplement, other hospital facilities are not available on the ship. Therefore, all sick passengers must obtain a 'fit to fly' certificate from the relevant doctor before their flight.
But saying this does not mean that patients should not travel by ship. If depending on the severity of the patient, non-medical and medical service personnel can go with him. Similarly, according to the patient's condition and illness, the medical staff may include nurses, paramedics or doctors.
Are there any special services on the plane for patients?
In-flight medical facilities depend on the size and duration of the flight as well as whether the flight is domestic or international.
If used for short-haul domestic flights, medical facilities are limited to first-aid boxes for small-sized aircraft with a carrying capacity of 20-50 passengers. It contains basic items like bandages, antiseptics, antacids, anti-empties, pain killers etc.
A variety of oral and liquid medications are kept on large planes used for international flights. In addition, such aircraft may have oxygen supplements and portable defibrillators. Such a defibrillator is called AED ie automatic external defibrillator.
A defibrillator is a device that produces an electrical charge or current in the heart to restore (bring) the heartbeat back to normal. A defibrillator is used when the heart stops beating due to cardiac arrest.
How is it taken care of if someone suddenly gets sick on the plane?
It is not the same for everyone, it depends on the disease or complications of the patient. For example, travelers may have panic attacks, which are often seen in Nepali workers returning from the Gulf countries and Malaysia. In such a case, besides reassuring the patient, water, oxygen and tranquilizers are also given.
Another passenger may have breathing problems due to asthma. In such a case, nasal oxygen (supplement oxygen) and bronchodilator inhaler can be provided according to the patient's oxygen level measurement with the oximeter.
In another example, appropriate medication is provided to passengers in case of persistent vomiting or dizziness. In case of acute heart attack, brain hemorrhage or clots, the nearest airport should be taken to the hospital. In conclusion, an attempt is made to handle the health condition of the passengers according to the available resources and staff's ability in the aircraft. If it is not possible, it will be taken to the nearest airport as soon as possible.
What to do if a passenger faints on the plane?
There are many reasons for fainting. If the passenger is unconscious due to panic attack or flight phobia (fear of flying), it is sufficient to monitor pulse rate, oxygen saturation and blood pressure as well as reassure the patient.
Another cause of fainting can be due to high or low blood sugar levels. In that case, blood sugar level can be measured with the help of glucometer. If the patient's blood sugar level is high, supplementary medicine can be given to control the sugar level and if the level is too low, he can be given enough glucose food.
Other causes of fainting can be fasting or drinking too much alcohol. Excessive hyperventilation (extremely nervous and rapid breathing) due to the fear of air travel can also lead to fainting.
In case of unconsciousness, it can be controlled in the following order:
1. It should be kept in an open place without overcrowding.
2. Both legs should be lifted.
3. Blood pressure, pulse rate and oxygen level should be monitored. If there is a cardiac (heart) or cerebrovascular accident, the nearest airport should be taken to the hospital as soon as possible.
Dr. Ranjit Baral
Can a pregnant woman travel on a ship?
There are pregnancy policy tables for air travel. From the said table, it is clear how cases of pregnancy are considered eligible or ineligible for flying.
Up to the 28th week of pregnancy and pregnant women who are in normal condition can easily fly without any restrictions. A person who is after the 28th week of pregnancy is required to obtain a medical certificate of 'fit to fly' from an obstetrician and gynecologist and an airline doctor to board a flight.
Likewise, late pregnancy (after the 35th week of pregnancy) and advanced pregnancy ie 'malposition' (a situation where the baby's head is in the wrong direction in the mother's womb) or 'twin' pregnancy are not allowed.
Are emergency patients carried on board or not?
Even in an emergency, it depends on what kind of situation it is. In case of unplanned cases like accidents, helicopters or small planes are used to rescue sick or injured people. Similarly planned case According to the situation, para-medics and nurses and non-medical staff can be deployed in mild cases. In such cases, medicines (especially given by injection) are given by the staff and the patient is monitored from time to time.
Doctors are deployed in extremely serious situations in anticipation of unpleasant events. For example, on long-haul flights, passengers with long-term asthma may have breathing problems, where steroids and bronchodilators must be given by injection.
What should be done if they have to travel by air?
Commercial airlines are not considered suitable for patients with very serious health conditions. In such cases, air ambulances are used, which are very expensive. But it has nurses and doctors as well as all the facilities of a 'mini-hospital'.
