QF A380 Diverts to Fiji due medical emerg

[serfty]

... This is where a 'second opinion' from a passenger, who identified as a 'doctor' or 'nurse' could of been useful ...

Hi Gordon, maybe you could read the thread/post I linked to. There's a lot more about this:

...
1. Cabin crew called for qualified medical staff when the pax's wife reported him very ill.

2. Four doctors offered assistance in flight, comprising a specialist Cardiologist, a Cardio-thoracic Surgeon, a Neurologist, an A&E Dept Manager, plus a Registered Nurse. ...

 

[Rick93]

I've just looked up the link provided, to the FT site.

Post by Ben Dover ( love the name...) says a lot.

As an actual crew member of that flight, the story becomes somewhat clearer.

I would like to know, the extent of the 'equipment' carried on Qantas international flights, that allowed for the patient to be " intubated " ??

To be " intubated ", implies, the patient is not able to breathe for themself. The function is usually then performed by a 'ventilator'. Such a device requires to be set precisely to each patient's requirement. This is usually an 'intensive care' service ( or by advanced paramedic in fully equiped vehicle ).

One thing that still has me guessing, is that if the patient was "discharged that day ", and the provisional diagnosis was 'diabetic' related, then the patient should not have required to be " intubated ". The glucagon should have been sufficient. Thus, there must have been 'other' factors.

Without knowing the 'other' factors, it's only speculation. Eg. did the patient overdose his insulin? Did he take 'drugs' with alcohol, causing a sudden onset on of hypoglycemia? or a thousand other combinations....

Still all those 'professionals' on board should have been able to come to an agreement on a diagnosis.

I wonder if this will cause a rethink on 'diabetics' flying? What 'precautions' should be required???

regards,
GORDO

 

[comint]

But hey !.... the potential implications of financial loss to the airline will probably always over ride any assessment by either crew or passenger.

No!

Look, normally I'm all for Qantas-bashing. But from the sidelines, there are certain areas of operation that I feel Qantas just can't be accused of profit over ethics.

I accept that the medical assistance provider, is possibly linked to an insurance claim by Qantas, and that pilots are also concerned with the commercial viability of their individual flight. But the process that I outlined previously, inoculates Qantas' management in general (and any pure profit motive); from the decision making process.

Qantas' management might be pigs to a trough normally, but... no... Not in this type of scenario, no. I can't swallow that.

 

[rwatts]

Even if the coma could be reversed by administration of glucagon, until that time the patient's airway is at risk. (What is the rule of thumb ? "GCS 8 - intubate").

If Ben Dover 380's account of the medical assistance available is correct, then I'll go with the A&E doc's decision as to whether it was necessary to protect the airway. A vent is not required. In the event of the patient being unable to breathe for themselves then they can be bagged. The main thing is to keep a patent upper airway. I would expect aircraft to carry a laryngoscope and various sized ETTs. Possibly also a trach kit.

Do not underestimate the possible long term neurological effects of extreme hypoglycemia either.

I'm sure a decision to divert was not made lightly by the captain but it would seem he had expert advice available from both on board and on the ground. I think its pointless to debate his decision.

Richard.

 

[Rick93]

Look, I agree, we could go 'round and round' here....

There were probably many factors involved.

Bagging... on the floor? with how many support personnel attending to the patient at any one time? I'd love to go through that as an exercise, during landing. I did a few 'exercises' at the Mascot Jet Base, in a cabin simulator ( with the SRESB of NSW, via NSW Ambulance Counter Disaster Course ), but didn't get do the 'med. emergency' simulations.

( another thought... " intubated " or was it a Guedel's Airway, just to keep the airway patent? )

As a NSW Registered Nurse of 17 years experience, I've done 'bagging' in the back of a moving ( fast ) ambulance. It's not as simple as it seems.

I'll leave it there. I've had my two cents worth....

regards,
GORDO

 

[oz_mark]

I'm sure a decision to divert was not made lightly by the captain but it would seem he had expert advice available from both on board and on the ground. I think its pointless to debate his decision.

+1.

The decision was made based on what information was at hand.

 

[munitalP]

The said A380 is at the Sydney maintenance standing area as we speak.

It's near the road and looks impressive. Top parking spot I'm guessing


Mr!