The United States’ government aviation regulator is proposing to move away from a “rigid” checklist of medical items stored on planes to modernise emergency treatment on flights.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposed a new rule on Tuesday, 4 August, to transition away from a prescriptive checklist of medical items in favour of a more flexible approach.
Emergency medical kits are used in more serious situations than first aid kits, which also required to be on planes.
Instead of a strict medical list, the new proposals state that airlines should have sufficient resources to manage nine life-threatening conditions.
These are cardiac emergencies, breathing difficulties, gastrointestinal emergencies, opioid overdoses, childbirth, seizures, anaphylaxis, major bleeding and hypoglycemia.
Despite the flexibility, planes would still be required to have an external defibrillator if the new rules are accepted.
The most recent revision to emergency medical kits took place in 2001, which led to the current list of 64 items.
The FAA says the current list causes issues for flight efficiency. At present, planes cannot fly if they do not have the exact resources and doses required, which can be an issue during mass medication shortages.
Some airlines apply to the FAA for exemptions so that flights can go ahead, but with this new rule, the agency said it would no longer have to grant regular exemptions.
The FAA argues this will save time and money, as well as alleviate costs for airlines by allowing more options for equipping and restocking.
To ensure medical equipment keeps up to date with healthcare advancements, the FAA would evaluate and revise emergency medical kit standards and flight-crew training guidelines every five years.
The FAA says members of the public in the United States and aviation stakeholders will have 60 days to submit comments on the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register.
Some have taken issue with the decision. Advocacy site Allergic Living has noted that the proposals do not explicitly require epinephrine devices, such as Epipens, to be on board. The auto injectors deliver a dose of adrenaline during severe allergic reactions.
The Independent has contacted the FAA for comment.
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