Emergency air medical transport of U.S.-citizen tourists: 1988 to 1990.

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To study the epidemiology of U.S. citizens who become ill or injured while on vacation outside the United States and are transported back to the United States by emergency air medical transports.

DESIGN

A retrospective self-reported survey covering a study period of three years (1988-1990) of air medical transport services in the United States.

SETTING AND TYPE OF PARTICIPANTS

All members of the Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS) who operate either rotorcraft within range of non-U.S. territories (excluding Canada) or who operate fixed-wing aircraft in the United States.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

RESULTS

There were a total of 796 cases reported by AAMS members during the study period. Males comprised 61% of the cases. Unintentional injury accounted for 44% (n = 351) of the patients transported. Acute myocardial infarctions, angina and post-cardiac arrest cases comprised 15% (n = 141) of the total cases. Infectious diseases other than pneumonia comprised slightly more than 1% (n = 11) of the total cases. There were 12 gunshot wounds and one stab wound, comprising 1.6% (n = 13) of the total cases. Mexico, the Virgin Islands, and the Bahamas were the top three sites of transport origin, accounting for 59% of the cases. Fixed-wing transport accounted for 90% of the reported flights.

CONCLUSIONS

This survey reveals a previously undescribed portion of travel-related morbidity and mortality. Injury prevention needs greater emphasis when travel advice is given by physicians and other travel medical services. Air medical transport is an important aspect of the care of acutely injured or ill U.S.-citizen tourists.