Airline travel can be stressful, especially for people who have underlying health and medical issues. People who have chronic conditions such as anemia, heart disease or lung disease can have difficulty handling lower oxygen levels during flight.
For other individuals, temporary concerns such as a recent root canal or a broken bone are reasons to consult a doctor before traveling.
Airlines differ in what they ask travelers to let them know about in advance, and the conditions for which they may require a doctor’s statement. Most airlines ask for a doctor’s statement if you need supplemental oxygen during a flight, or need to take injectable medication while on a commercial aircraft. In addition, most recommend that you check with your doctor before traveling with the following medical conditions; depending on your situation, you may want to ask for a written confirmation that you are cleared to travel. Those medical conditions include:
- A recent surgery, including dental surgery
- A Heart condition or blood pressure problems
- Lung condition
- Epilepsy
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Pregnancy
You also should inform your airline if you need a wheelchair or plan to bring your own wheelchair, have mobility concerns, or need a special diet.
The World Health Organization (WHO) warns on its website that “if cabin crew suspect before departure that a passenger may be ill, the aircraft’s captain will be informed and a decision taken as to whether the passenger is fit to travel, needs medical attention or presents a danger to other passengers and crew or to the safety of the aircraft.” It makes sense then to be proactive and inform the airlines on which you are traveling about any underlying medical conditions you have that may raise a red flag, especially those that are affected by lower air pressure and lower oxygen levels during the flight. Most airlines have medical clearance forms and other information on their websites.
WHO also says that frequent travelers who have stable and permanent underlying medical conditions can request a frequent traveler’s medical card, which is typically available through an airline’s reservations department. WHO advises that the card “is accepted, under specified conditions, as proof of medical clearance and for identification of the holder’s medical condition.”
When a Commercial Medical Escort is Necessary
Of course, some people with underlying health issues or illnesses feel more comfortable and confident when traveling with a medical escort. Medical escorts assist individuals who require special medical attention while traveling. This can include traveling with patients who are recovering from surgery or cancer treatment, or who have chronic health problems that require consistent monitoring and care.
Medical escorts are typically hired through affordable commercial medical escort companies, such as SentinelMED. SentinelMED’s medical escorts are typically ICU or emergency medicine-trained nurses or doctors who are skilled problem solvers. They closely monitor a person’s medical status from origin to destination and provide frequent, live updates to his or her designated contacts.
In addition to providing medical care in-flight, SentinelMED’s medical escorts also help get the patient to the airport, navigate check-in and security, help with luggage, work with airline staff to ensure all special accommodations are in place, and act as the link between the medical care at the travel origin and destination. For more information about in-flight care from SentinelMED’s medical escort team, click here.
The SentinelMED team understands the complexity of delivering exceptional care to patients who need assistance during travel, whether for an existing medical condition or in the event of an injury or accident while away from home. Please contact us to learn more about the services that SentinelMED offers or its staff.
