Cabin Crew Perceptions toward Medications used during In-Flight Medical Emergencies in Saudi-Based Airlines: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

In-flight medical emergencies are rare but serious circumstances that require immediate actions in an isolated space with potential language barriers as well as limited privacy and resources. This study evaluates the familiarity of flight crewmembers in regard to the use of different medications during in-flight medical emergencies among Saudi-based airlines. A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted in January 2018. A survey was administered to 84 airline crew members who were working at Saudi-based airlines. About 55 (65.5%) and 11 (13%) of the crewmember participants had used a first aid kit and automated external defibrillator in in-flight medical emergencies during the last year, respectively. Two-thirds (61.9%) of the responders had used an emergency medical kit 1 to 10 times in the last year during in-flight medical emergencies. Furthermore, 41.6% of the crewmembers were not familiar with dealing with medications stored in the emergency medical kit, and only 41.6% of the participants were familiar with the drug names and their indications. In-flight crewmembers need educational sessions to understand the indications of the medications contained in the emergency medical kits used during in-flight emergencies.