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Old 22nd Mar 2009, 18:14
  #14 (permalink)  
homonculus
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: london
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Ignoring the fact that you should not take off in this situation, I am deeply concerned you were even asked, as this situation should never arise.

Back in 1987 we proposed a 'Chinese Wall' between flight crew and medical crew. The flight crew should never make any decision based on the patient's condition nor the sequelae of not launching. Equally the medical crew should never pressurise the flight crew nor be involved in go:no go decisions. We never allowed the pilot access to any information about the patient.

Although this has given cause to some amusement (especially when the medical crew are pilots or vice versa!) it has certainly avoided several potentially difficult situations over the years and, at least in the UK, I would hope all operations are practicing it.

It also means that the flight crew make en route decisions as if they were not on a medical flight. Any thought to press on despite weather or serviceability issues is potentially lethal. And if the hospital so much as wimpers, the organisation's medical director should perform a delicate operation on the miscreant without anaesthetic.
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