A transatlantic challenge with an unexpected layover

AFD is no stranger to challenging and highly complex cases, especially due to the broad service portfolio that the company offers. From global air ambulance transports and commercial escort missions to regional medical assistance support for Medical Assistance companies from all around the globe – we do it all. While sometimes these missions are easy to navigate and swiftly organised, more complex cases can take days or even weeks to successfully close.

An elderly American collapses in Tanzania

Such an example is a recent case of an 80-year-old female patient from the US state of New Jersey, who was vacationing with her extended family in a remote location in Tanzania. While the first few days of her holiday went without incidents, she suddenly collapsed after coming back from a hike with her grandsons as she was struck with grave pain and unable to move.

After extensive diagnostics,
the patient was diagnosed
with acute cervical spine
spondylolisthesis

Unfamiliar with the local emergency services, the family frantically called the patient’s assistance company in the US, where they connected her immediately with AFD’s specialists in Nairobi, Kenya, for further help. Under the guidance of AFD’s team, the family called the regional emergency hotline where an ambulance was sent promptly to transfer the patient to the nearest local hospital.

Working with the hospital

Even before arrival, the team at AFD reached out to the hospital to confirm coverage, payment and contact details for the treating doctor. Upon arrival, the patient was immediately brought to the emergency room, where pain medication was immediately applied. After extensive diagnostics, the patient was diagnosed with acute cervical spine spondylolisthesis, compounded by severe spinal cord oedema. In addition, the patient had a history of heart issues as well as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), making her medical situation even more critical.

As transporting her in any capacity was not an option, the patient and her family agreed to have a discectomy performed in Tanzania, after consulting with her US assistance company and AFD’s local team. After the procedure was successfully completed, the patient remained stable but critical due to her age and AFD was once again approached by the patient’s assistance company to organise her repatriation back to the US.
 

Organising the repatriation

Given her current condition and the intensive care she required, a commercial flight with medical escort was not a feasible option. To reunite her with her family in the US, AFD thus started planning her lengthy repatriation across the Atlantic

As transporting her was
not an option, the patient
and her family agreed
to have a discectomy
performed in Tanzania

Detailed logistical arrangements were made, including the deployment of two sets of medical and aviation crews to manage the lengthy journey on AFD’s Cessna Citation Sovereign. To assure both a well-rested and focused crew as well as optimised use of resources, an extra medical and aviation crew was sent to Portugal for a crew change.

Declining health en route – and a detour to Portugal

While the pickup in Tanzania and further leg to Europe was uneventful, a significant challenge emerged when the patient’s condition deteriorated while the aircraft was en route to Portugal for a crew change.

The patient suddenly started to experience spinal shock, necessitating immediate medical intervention. The patient’s sudden decline required rapid readmission to a hospital with an intensive care unit. Leveraging AFD’s international network, a hospital in Portugal was identified and the patient was readmitted within 30 minutes of arrival for stabilisation and acute care.

While the patient was being treated, billing arrangements were handled directly with the hospital, facilitating a seamless continuation of care and avoiding any delay with her treatment. After a night in the hospital and confirmation that the patient was stable enough to continue her journey, AFD’s team once again departed in the Sovereign for the last part of the trip.

A safe return home

Thankfully, the remainder of the mission was uneventful, with the patient stable and comfortable. After arriving in New Jersey, the patient was brought to the local hospital for further treatment and AFD’s team started its way back to Nairobi the next day.

A demanding mission that once again demonstrated the importance of interdepartmental communication and collaboration, which AFD’s team has perfected. From swift guidance on local emergency processes to assuring seamless admission and treatment in Tanzania all the way to managing an unexpected medical emergency onboard by engaging with AFD’s extensive international network of healthcare providers, this case certainly is proof of the development AFD has undergone in the last few years, establishing itself as a leading global aeromedical provider and the go-to solution for all medical assistance needs in Africa.

The patient’s sudden decline
required rapid readmission
to a hospital

One of many cases that the team at AFD has successfully managed, with all of them probably already working on saving the next life. After all, AFD is always only one call away.