Yes, there have been several instances of airline medical personnel being allegedly denied permission to perform an emergency procedure on a passenger mid-flight. In some cases, the denial has been attributed to miscommunication or confusion between the medical personnel and the flight crew. In other cases, the denial has been based on a concern that the procedure could pose a risk to the safety of the flight.
One of the most well-publicized cases of a denied emergency procedure involved a United Airlines flight from Denver to Honolulu in 2018. A passenger on the flight suffered a serious medical emergency, and a doctor who was also a passenger on the flight attempted to provide emergency care. However, the flight crew reportedly denied the doctor permission to perform a tracheotomy, which is a surgical procedure that is used to create an opening in the trachea, or windpipe, to allow for breathing. The patient died before the plane landed.
In response to this incident, United Airlines changed its policy to allow for more flexibility in the use of emergency procedures. However, there are still concerns that airline crews may be too hesitant to allow medical personnel to provide emergency care.
Here are some of the reasons why airline crews may be hesitant to allow medical personnel to provide emergency care:
- Concerns about the safety of the flight. Medical procedures can be disruptive and can create a safety hazard. For example, a tracheotomy requires the use of sharp instruments, which could pose a risk to other passengers if not handled carefully.
- Concerns about liability. Airlines are concerned about being held liable if a medical procedure goes wrong. For example, if a patient dies during a tracheotomy that was performed by a doctor who was not a qualified medical professional, the airline could be sued.
- Concerns about the training of medical personnel. Airlines are not sure that all medical personnel who are flying on their planes are qualified to provide emergency care. For example, a doctor who is not a board-certified emergency physician may not have the necessary skills to perform a tracheotomy.
Despite these concerns, it is important for airlines to allow medical personnel to provide emergency care when it is necessary. Lives can be lost if medical personnel are not allowed to intervene when a passenger is in a life-threatening situation. Airlines should develop clear policies and procedures for handling emergency medical situations, and they should train their flight crews to recognize and respond to these situations appropriately.