Aeromedical Evacuation of Patients with Contagious Infections

Garibaldi, Brian T.; Conger, Nicholas G.; Withers, Mark R.; Hatfill, Steven J.; Gutierrez-Nunez, Jose J.; Christopher, George W.

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-15903-0_20

Cited by 14 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…Use of commercial airline had the advantage of ability to transport many passengers with basic comfort and existing license to operate in the affected region’s airport. However, in using commercial aircraft, there are limitations with respect to transportation of the critically ill, as the space and the fixed seats does not allow placement of a Transport Isolation System such as the one used in repatriation of highly infectious disease patients [ 7 , 16 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…One of the important aspects in prevention of infectious disease transmission within an aircraft is its ventilation system. The ventilation system in commercial aircraft is fitted with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration system which is effective against coronavirus [ 16 , 17 ]. The filter coupled with frequent air exchanges and laminar flow pattern of air within the cabin is effective in limiting the transmission of infectious disease [ 13 , 18 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Experience repatriation of citizens from epicentre using commercial flights during COVID-19 pandemic

et al. 2020

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Background During the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries instituted closure of borders from international and local travels. Stranded citizens appeal to their governments to embark on citizen repatriation missions. Between February and April 2020, the Government of Malaysia directed repatriation of its citizens from China, Iran, Italy and Indonesia. We describe the preparation and execution of the repatriation mission using chartered commercial aircraft. The mission objectives were to repatriate as many citizens based on aircraft capacity and prevent onboard transmission of the disease to flight personnel. Results Five repatriation missions performed was led by the National Agency for Disaster Management (NADMA) with the Ministry of Health providing technical expertise. A total of 432 citizens were repatriated from the missions. The operations were divided into four phases: the pre-boarding screening phase, the boarding and in-flight phase, the reception phase and the quarantine phase. The commercial aircraft used were from two different commercial airlines. Each mission had flight crew members between 10 and 17 people. There were 82 positive cases detected among the repatriated citizens. There was a single positive case of a healthcare worker involved in the mission, based on the sample taken on arrival of the flight. There were no infections involving flight team members. Conclusion Medical flight crew must be familiar with aircraft fittings that differ from one commercial airline to another as it influences infection control practices. A clear understanding of socio-political situation of a country, transmission routes of a pathogen, disease presentation, and knowledge of aviation procedures, aircraft engineering and design is of great importance in preparing for such missions. Our approach of multidiscipline team involvement managed to allow us to provide and execute the operations successfully.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experience repatriation of citizens from epicentre using commercial flights during COVID-19 pandemic

et al. 2020

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“…Use of commercial airline had the advantage of ability to transport many passengers with basic comfort, and existing license to operate in the affected region's airport. However, in using commercial aircrafts, there are limitations with respect to transportation of the critically ill, as the space and the xed seats does not allow placement of a Transport Isolation System such as the one used in repatriation of highly infectious disease patients (7,16).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…One of the important aspects in prevention of infectious disease transmission within an aircraft is its ventilation system. Ventilation system in commercial aircraft is tted with High E ciency Particulate Air (HEPA) ltration system which is effective against coronavirus (16,17). The lter coupled with frequents air exchanges and laminar ow pattern of air within the cabin are effective in limiting transmission of infectious disease (13,18).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experience Repatriation Of Citizens From Epicentre Using Commercial Flights During Covid-19 Pandemic

Karim

Mohamad

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Background: During the Covid-19 pandemic, many countries instituted closure of borders from international and local travel. Stranded citizens appeal to their governments to embark on citizen repatriation missions. Between February to April 2020, the Government of Malaysia directed repatriation of its citizens from China, Iran, Italy and Indonesia. We describe the preparation and execution of the repatriation mission using chartered commercial aircraft. The mission objectives were to repatriate as many citizens based on aircraft capacity and prevent onboard transmission of the disease to flight personnel.Results: A total of five repatriation missions performed lead by National Agency for Disaster Management (NADMA) with the Ministry of Health providing technical expertise. Total of 432 numbers of citizens were repatriated from the missions. The operations were divided into four phases: pre-boarding screening phase, boarding and in-flight phase, reception phase and the quarantine phase. The commercial aircraft used from two different commercial airlines. Each mission had flight crew members between 10 to 17 people. There were 82 positive cases detected among the repatriated citizens. There was a single positive case of a healthcare worker involved in the mission, based sample taken on arrival of the flight. There were no infections involving flight team members.Conclusion: Medical flight crew must be familiar with aircraft fittings that differ from one commercial airline to another as it influences infection control practices. A clear understanding of socio-political situation of a country, transmission routes of a pathogen, disease presentation, knowledge of aviation procedures, aircraft engineering and design is of great importance in preparing for such missions. Our approach of multidiscipline team involvement managed to allow us to provide a execute the operations successfully.

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“…Patient isolation may be possible in different aircraft types (16), however portable isolation units are expensive, may require re-configuration of existing aircraft layouts, and have limitations such as patient access and restraint (17). Alternatively, the use of barriers such as screens or curtains may provide some level of protection for personnel positioned in the cockpit, and their effectiveness is reliant on airflow and the movement of airborne particles within the aircraft.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Airflow Characteristics in Aeromedical Aircraft: Considerations During COVID-19

Wit

Coates²,

Cheesman³

et al. 2021

Air Medical Journal

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Highlights Aeromedical transport of COVID-19 patients creates exposure risk to clinicians and non-medical aircrew Airflow characteristics in fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft vary depending on environmental control system settings Physical barriers were observed to limit airflow movement from the cabin to the cockpit in both aircraft types Patient positioning may decrease the risk of exposure to aircrew positioned in the cockpit Understanding cabin airflow movement can assist in flight planning

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Aeromedical Evacuation of Patients with Contagious Infections

Cited by 14 publications

References 39 publications

Experience repatriation of citizens from epicentre using commercial flights during COVID-19 pandemic

Experience repatriation of citizens from epicentre using commercial flights during COVID-19 pandemic

Experience Repatriation Of Citizens From Epicentre Using Commercial Flights During Covid-19 Pandemic

Airflow Characteristics in Aeromedical Aircraft: Considerations During COVID-19

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