GUIDELINES FOR MEDICAL EVACUATION STANDARD IN THE COMMERCIAL FLIGHT OF THAILAND

Abstract

The transfer of patients on commercial flights is increasing, especially for foreign patients who need to return for continued treatment in their home countries. However, Thailand still lacks clear national standards, resulting in inconsistent practices and increased safety risks during flights. This qualitative research aims to 1) Study international standards and practices for patient transfers on commercial flights and 2) Propose standard guidelines for Thailand. This study was done through semi-structured in-depth interviews with 7 experts with over 7 years of experience, along with a review of international standards such as CAMTS from the United States and EURAMI from Europe. The synthesis of the results found that international standards could be applied in six areas: 1) Personnel: There must be policies to manage fatigue and prioritize rest time, as Thai personnel often take on transport work as a secondary job. 2) Quality and Safety: Emphasis should be on learning from mistakes rather than punishment. 3) Clinical Practice: Organizations must clearly define the scope of services. 4) Patient Care: Minimum qualifications and experience for medical teams must align with the severity of the illness. 5) Infection Control: There must be written policies for screening and managing safety. and 6) Communication: A 24-hour coordination center with an emergency response plan is required. However, these research findings are only preliminary guidelines, so it is recommended to test them with a large national sample and promote collaboration between the National Institute for Emergency Medicine, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand, and domestic airlines to elevate them to a concrete national standard.