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.)