Flying Safe - Medics Onboard Qantas

[Cynicor]

On the lighter side I was flying domestic recently to the big annual pathology conference. I spotted at least 15 other pathologists or trainees on the flight. I had a giggle when I thought it there was an emergency, there'd be at least 20 medical doctors, but most of them quite useless

I'd take the most junior pathologist around, and hope that residency/med reg-ing was only a year prior!

 

[k_sheep]

I'd take the most junior pathologist around, and hope that residency/med reg-ing was only a year prior!

Yep and even though I'm 4 years out from residency, I'd still rate myself as somewhat above a final year med student or a brand new intern - mainly because I did multiple terms in anaesthetics / ICU / ED so I'm still pretty handy with airway management and other critical care!

But calming someone down with anxiety? I'd be rubbish at that. I'd probably get anxious myself

 

[tbd]

Back last May I was upstairs on an SQ A380 on the way to the combined surgeons/anaesthetic conference in Singapore when a poor chap arrested. There was no general announcement but simply a tap on the shoulder. They managed to tap the anaesthetist sitting behind me first who then asked for a bit more help. No checking of qualifications and I was the 3rd person in. The cabin crew were great and did all the chest compressions. There was a full medical kit and the patient was intubated, shocked and given the appropriate resus drugs but we called it after an hour or so (after speaking to the medical team on the ground). Pretty difficult situation give the lack of room and howling relatives - the man was then placed back in his seat for the last hour of the flight into Singapore. The CSM gave us all a voucher for a one class upgrade and profuse thanks. Chatting to a one of the other crew - told me this was her 7th death in 5 years (compared to my Qantas CSM uncle who hasn't had one).

 

[PaulST]

Back last May I was upstairs on an SQ A380 on the way to the combined surgeons/anaesthetic conference in Singapore when a poor chap arrested. There was no general announcement but simply a tap on the shoulder. They managed to tap the anaesthetist sitting behind me first who then asked for a bit more help. No checking of qualifications and I was the 3rd person in. The cabin crew were great and did all the chest compressions. There was a full medical kit and the patient was intubated, shocked and given the appropriate resus drugs but we called it after an hour or so (after speaking to the medical team on the ground). Pretty difficult situation give the lack of room and howling relatives - the man was then placed back in his seat for the last hour of the flight into Singapore. The CSM gave us all a voucher for a one class upgrade and profuse thanks. Chatting to a one of the other crew - told me this was her 7th death in 5 years (compared to my Qantas CSM uncle who hasn't had one).

Sounds terrible for all involved. I suppose the only positive was that the family saw that everything possible was done for their loved one.

 

[drron]

Not the place to have a cardiac arrest.

 

[wandering_fred]

Not the place to have a cardiac arrest.

Is there a place to have one?

Unhappy wandering

Fred

 

[KitKat]

Is there a place to have one?

Unhappy wandering

Fred

Maybe cath lab and OT of tertiary hospital if you must

 

[PaulST]

Maybe cath lab and OT of tertiary hospital if you must

Maybe but you'd have to wait a little while before the beeping wakes the anaesthetist. Or until he or she's got to the next level?

Depends on the cause I guess but I'd expect that an ICU should be a fairly safe place.

 

[drron]

Well this year one fellow collapsed at the Emergency Dept door just as I and an anaesthetist opened it to leave.One swift thump to the chest and a bypass later and he was fine.

 

[digpomi]

I have put my AHPRA card in my wallet after reading this thread.

 

[JohnM]

Well this year one fellow collapsed at the Emergency Dept door just as I and an anaesthetist opened it to leave.One swift thump to the chest and a bypass later and he was fine.

Is it that much of a shock to come face-to-face with you drron :shock: (or was it the anaesthetist ).

(PS. Not meaning to trivialise the seriousness of the situation at the time.)

 

[JohnM]

I have put my AHPRA card in my wallet after reading this thread.

Funny - I thought I heard the rustle of many coming out .

 

[coco50]

I was recently woken in the middle of the night on a trans-Pacific flight by a call for a medical doctor. When I identified myself as such, the flight attendant asked if I had any documents confirming that I was indeed a physician. As these were not readily to hand, my offer of assistance was declined.The flight was not diverted, and on our arrival, I noticed an elderly woman walking off the plane, escorted by a paramedic.
I am now wondering, is it routine for physicians to carry their credentials with them, and are flight attendants trained in the validation of such credentials? Are flight attendants required to find a credentialed family physician before a passenger can be further assessed and treated by a credentialed specialist? Or are flight attendants trained both in the assessment of medical credentials and the triage of medical emergencies, so they can seek the direct assistance of credentialed specialists themselves?
Should I now carry a certificate of professional conduct from my local licensing authority and wait for a call within my own area of specialist practice, or just roll over and go back to sleep?
What would you do?

I really don't think that you should need to carry any creds with you. Normally, you are who or what you say you are. If the patient is so badly ill that assistance is required common sense must prevail. I was just so grateful that a doctor cared for my adult daughter on a flight from LAX - SYD ( earlier post on this thread). I have the greatest respect and admiration for anyone attached to the medical profession. Fortunately there is not much call for my skills on a long flight. (retired high school teacher)

 

[legroom]

I really don't think that you should need to carry any creds with you. Normally, you are who or what you say you are. If the patient is so badly ill that assistance is required common sense must prevail. I was just so grateful that a doctor cared for my adult daughter on a flight from LAX - SYD ( earlier post on this thread). I have the greatest respect and admiration for anyone attached to the medical profession. Fortunately there is not much call for my skills on a long flight. (retired high school teacher)

Cannot agree more to that sentiment..... until the non-medical know-alls get involved with forms / IDs / accreditations etc.. etc...

Hypothetically, were I declined because of a lack of ID, there is no other assistance and the passenger is in distress.... I would seek to speak to the Captain to press the case.

No, I am not carrying any ID for my long haul next week.

 

[JohnK]

Interesting thread.

"Is there a doctor on board?" Luckily I haven't heard that call that often. Had an eventful flight last year where I heard the call and last week HKG-SYD midway through the flight heard the call again.

A friend died on a LAX-SYD flight some years ago. There were 4 of them travelling (all cousins) and he was sleeping and when breakfast was served the FA tried to wake him without success. They were going to divert to Fiji from memory but he was pronounced dead on board. Heart attack. Didn't quite make it to 50 years old.

 

[artemis]

Back last May I was upstairs on an SQ A380 on the way to the combined surgeons/anaesthetic conference in Singapore when a poor chap arrested. There was no general announcement but simply a tap on the shoulder. They managed to tap the anaesthetist sitting behind me first who then asked for a bit more help. No checking of qualifications and I was the 3rd person in. The cabin crew were great and did all the chest compressions. There was a full medical kit and the patient was intubated, shocked and given the appropriate resus drugs but we called it after an hour or so (after speaking to the medical team on the ground). Pretty difficult situation give the lack of room and howling relatives - the man was then placed back in his seat for the last hour of the flight into Singapore. The CSM gave us all a voucher for a one class upgrade and profuse thanks. Chatting to a one of the other crew - told me this was her 7th death in 5 years (compared to my Qantas CSM uncle who hasn't had one).

Goodness - how distressing for everyone! Nice to hear that there is the ability to discuss with team on ground. And also nice to think that cabin crew have some degree of situational awareness as to who can help etc etc.

I wonder what happens in terms of coroner's inquests and the like...

 

[Anna]

An aged aunt of mine died on a flight from SIN to Australia and was left in her seat next to my aged uncle (who was, funnily enough for this thread, a GP). The crew put some blankets over her so it looked like she was asleep so as not to distress other pax. My uncle thought it was better that she was left with him rather than put on her own somewhere. Not sure which airline. Possibly SQ.

 

[rickylee]

I am a PhD and my fiancée is a medical doctor.

On most Emirates flights, I would be greeted by one of the cabin crew before take off, who asks me if I am a medical doctor. When I am on my own the questions end when I reply NO, but if my fiancée is wish me, she would then be asked her speciality and if she would be willing to assist if there is a medical emergency. I think that is a much better approach than a general call over the PA, though I suppose that may still be necessary if there are no doctors on board who agreed to assist.

 

[drron]

On my Rex flight to BHQ on Sunday night at least 9 of the 22 pax were medicos.
Would have been interesting if a medical incident.

 

[wooley]

Wish I had got some popcorn before reading this from start to finish... Very entertaining (and enlightening).

...And amusing too.