Assessment of Passenger Health Before Air Travel

Year 2020, , 181 - 181, 01.11.2020

Mehmet Ali Ceyhan , Gültekin Günhan Demır

https://doi.org/10.38175/phnx.805120

Abstract

The number of the passenger using air travel keeps increasing every year. Inconsistency with an increasing number of passengers without medical conditions, the number of passengers with acute or chronic medical conditions increases inevitably. The attitude of commercial aircrafts providing passenger transportation during air travel is associated with altered internal cab pressure, humidity rate, partial oxygen pressure when compared with sea level pressure and medium. Alterations in the internal cab during a flight are usually well tolerated by healthy passengers, however might harm passengers with acute or chronic medical conditions. Around 65 % of health conditions emerging during flights are related to pre-existing medical conditions. Passengers with medical conditions are not fully aware of the potential influences of flight on their acute or chronic conditions. However, treatment options are substantially limited in case of an emergent medical condition during flights. Evaluation and clearance of patients with medical conditions before the flight by physicians experienced in-flight medicine is the key step for elimination or minimizing risks during the flight. Particularly patients with a history of recent hospitalization, injury, surgery, unstable conditions related to chronic health conditions, acute conditions, need for oxygen support, need for stretcher should be thoroughly evaluated before the flight. The present review aimed to investigate preflight medical screening of patients with medical conditions and their risks associated with air travel.

Keywords

Air travel, preflight medical screening, passenger health

Supporting Institution

none

Hava Yoluyla Seyahat Öncesi Yolcu Sağlığının Değerlendirilmesi

Abstract

The number of the passenger using air travel keeps increasing every year. Inconsistency with an increasing number of passengers without medical conditions, the number of passengers with acute or chronic medical conditions increases inevitably. The attitude of commercial aircrafts providing passenger transportation during air travel is associated with altered internal cab pressure, humidity rate, partial oxygen pressure when compared with sea level pressure and medium. Alterations in the internal cab during a flight are usually well tolerated by healthy passengers, however might harm passengers with acute or chronic medical conditions. Around 65 % of health conditions emerging during flights are related to pre-existing medical conditions. Passengers with medical conditions are not fully aware of the potential influences of flight on their acute or chronic conditions. However, treatment options are substantially limited in case of an emergent medical condition during flights. Evaluation and clearance of patients with medical conditions before the flight by physicians experienced in-flight medicine is the key step for elimination or minimizing risks during the flight. Particularly patients with a history of recent hospitalization, injury, surgery, unstable conditions related to chronic health conditions, acute conditions, need for oxygen support, need for stretcher should be thoroughly evaluated before the flight. The present review aimed to investigate preflight medical screening of patients with medical conditions and their risks associated with air travel.

Keywords

Havayolu seyahati, uçuş öncesi sağlık taraması, yolcu sağlığı

References

• Sayılarla Türk Hava Yolları - Turkish Airlines. https://www.turkishairlines.com/tr-int/basin- odasi/hakkimizda/sayilarla-turk-hava-yollari/ 7 Temmuz 2020’de erişildi.
• Johnston R. Clinical aviation medicine: safe travel by air. Clin Med (Lond). 2001;1(5):385-388.
• British Airways Health Services, Your Patıent And Air Travel, A Guide To Physicians. https://www.britishairways.com/health/docs/before/airtravel_guide.pdf 7 Temmuz 2020’de erişildi.
• Qureshi A, Porter KM. Emergencies in the air. Emerg Med J. 2005;22(9):658-9.
• Silverman D, Gendreau M. Medical issues associated with commercial flights. Lancet. 2009;13;373(9680):2067-77.
• Medical Manual for Aviation, June 2018,11th Edition. https://www.iata.org/en/publications/medical-manual/ 1 Haziran 2020’de erişildi.
• Ergan B, Akgun M, Pacilli AMG, Nava S. Should I stay or should I go? COPD and air travel. Eur Respir Rev. 2018 Jun 13;27(148):180030.
• DeHart RL. Health issues of air travel. Annu Rev Public Health. 2003;24:133-151.
• Aerospace Medical Association Medical Guidelines Task Force. Medical Guidelines for Airline Travel, 2nd ed. Aviat Space Environ Med. 2003;74(5 Suppl):A1-A19.
• Lee AP, Yamamoto LG, Relles NL. Commercial airline travel decreases oxygen saturation in children. Pediatr Emerg Care. 2002;18(2):78-80.
• Fitness to travel by air. In: Harding RM, Mills FJ (eds). Aviation medicine. Br Med J 1993.
• Ahmedzai S, Balfour-Lynn IM, Bewick T, Buchdahl R, Coker RK, Cummin AR, et al. Managing passengers with stable respiratory disease planning air travel: British Thoracic Society recommendations. Thorax. 2011;66 Suppl 1:i1-i30.
• Mangili A, Gendreau MA. Transmission of infectious diseases during commercial air travel. Lancet. 2005;365(9463):989-996.
• Air travel advice. Who should avoid air travel for health reasons? https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/air-travel-advice. 4 Temmuz 2020’de erişildi.
• Johnston R. Clinical aviation medicine: safe travel by air. Clin Med (Lond). 2001;1(5):385-388.
• British Thoracic Society Standards of Care Committee. Managing passengers with respiratory disease planning airtravel: British Thoracic Society recommendations. Thorax. 2002;57(4):289-304.
• Aerospace Medical Association. Fitness to Fly and Medical Clearances. http://www.asma.org/publications/medical-publications-for-airline-travel/medical-considerations-for-airline-travel. 4 Temmuz 2020’de erişildi.
• Goethe WH, Bäter H, Laban C. Barodontalgia and barotrauma in the human teeth: findings in navy divers, frogmen, and submariners of the Federal Republic of Germany. Mil Med. 1989;154(10):491-5.
• Zadik Y. Aviation dentistry: current concepts and practice. Br Dent J. 2009;206(1):11-16.