impact covid-19 on the aero-medical industry meetings seminars and... · 2020. 11. 20. ·...
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Impact COVID-19 on the aero-medical industry
Dr. Cai Glushak
President
European Aero-Medical Institute e.V.(EURAMI)
November 12th, 2020
Dr. Cai Glushak
• President – European Aero-Medical Institute
• Global Medical Director – AXA Partners
• Clinical Professor of Medicine – University of Chicago
The European Aero-Medical Institute
• Founded in 1992
• Non-Profit Association based in Cologne, Germany
• 52 Accredited Providers
• 43 Accredited Fixed Wing Programs
• 5 Accredited Rotary Wing Programs
• 17 Accredited Commercial Airline Medical Escort Programs
• Globally recognized accreditation standards for Fixed Wing, Rotary Wing & Commercial Airline Medical Escort
The European Aero-Medical Institute
• Excellence - As the leading Aeromedical Accreditation Institute EURAMI is a strong advocate for Excellence among aeromedical transport providers
• Quality - EURAMI is a renowned indicator for Quality in Aero-Medical Transportation, accrediting providers all around the globe
• Safety - EURAMI’s standards and procedures increase Saftey in Aero-Medical Transportation, making it a key component when it comes to working with aeromedical providers
Case Scenario –COVID-19
35 year old male from New Zealand, working for a British mining company
Located in Cotonou, Benin
Admitted to hospital with COVID-19
Hypoxic, on face mask, worsening dyspnea
All ventilators in use
No local country willing to accept evacuation.
Air Ambulance to home country New Zealand not possible as no country / airport will permit re-fuel stop with positive COVID-19 patient
Hospital in Zurich, Switzerland agreed to acceptpatient, despite not being a Swiss Citizen
Case Scenario –COVID-19 >5 full days of coordination with local
authorities to perform evacuation
Local CAA
Local MOH
Local hospital
Local N.Z. High Commission
Swiss CAA
Swiss immigration authority and N.Z. Embassy
Swiss health authority
Patient’s hypoxia worsened throughout.
Issue: Refuel Restrictions Countries denying refuel-stops /technical stops
for Air Ambulance providers
Pilots /Crew not allowed to leave Aircraft
Landing restrictions for COVID-19 positive patients
Issue: Lack of Coordination between local CAA/Immigration Authority & Health Authority
Multiple contact people in different institutions
No overall coordination amongst institutions
Different (internal) standards / guidelines are being followed
No overall guideline /standards is being established for communication & handling of COVID-19 cases & medical evacuations / repatriations
EURAMI standards on transport of patients with infectious disease EURAMI has strict baseline infection control
standards
EURAMI Standards are to be followed by members when transporting COVID-19 positive patients
EURAMI is currently gathering & evaluating data on the transport of COVID-19 positive patients
EURAMI is currently gathering & evaluating data on the exposure & cross-infection of crew members when transporting COVID-19 positive patients
Standardization of the Transportation of Infectious Patients
EURAMI would welcome a coordinated mutual approach for the standardization of infectious patient transports that will facilitate CAAs and related agencies otapprove urgent medical flights.
Coordinated effort amongst the leading aero-medical institutions
Exemption for aero-medical crew in regard to quarantine – if all precautions taken (similar to local healthcare workers)
EURAMI Standards – Infectious Patient Transports (excerpt Fixed Wing Standards 5.0.)
EURAMI Standards – Infectious Patient Transports (excerpt CAME Standards 1.4.)