Vol 70, No 1 (2019)
Review article
Published online: 2019-03-28

open access

Page views 1235
Article views/downloads 8742
Get Citation

Connect on Social Media

Connect on Social Media

Request for professional medical aid on board ocean-going ships in the Republic of Croatia

Rosanda Mulić1, Dean Sumić2
Pubmed: 30931516
IMH 2019;70(1):42-46.

Abstract

Despite modern ship technologies, high-quality crew accommodation and exceptional communications, the absence of a doctor on board presents an issue in terms of the timely, adequate and efficient response to acute health disorders and life-threatening injuries.
A serious health condition of an injured or sick person, insufficient medical knowledge of the on-board officers, inadequately equipped ship’s infirmary, or scarce supply of medicines are among the typical reasons for requesting professional shore-based medical assistance. This can be achieved by requesting Radio Medical Advice or by activating air-borne medical assistance, i.e. bringing a doctor by helicopter or by Medical Evacuation, i.e. transferring the ill or injured person to the shore medical institution. The Maritime Telemedical Assistance Services are available across the world. They use all the technical possibilities available, including e-mails and very widely used photo and video attachments as well as the emergency real-time live videos. In on-board practice, the most common solution is to use medical advice over the radio (through terrestrial or satellite networks). This paper discusses the ways of requesting professional medical advice or aid on board ocean-going merchant ships in the Republic of Croatia. 

Article available in PDF format

View PDF Download PDF file

References

  1. Regulation on Minimal Requests Regarding Medical Care on Ships, Boats and Yachts. In Croatian. National Gazette of Croatia. 2008; 14: 429.
  2. International Medical Guide for Ships. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2007.
  3. American College of Emergency. Health Guidelines for Cruise Ship Medical Facilities. Available at: . https://www.acep.org/patient-care/policy-statements/health-care-guidelines-for-cruise-ship-medical-facilities/#sm.0000tfhhkwwgqe3iqjl21xa4ucc2f (Accessed: 5/3/2019).
  4. Ordinance on minimum safe manning on merchant marine ships of the Republic of Croatia. In Croatian. National Gazette of Croatia No. 63/07, 76/11, 46/13, 104/15, 31/16 and 83/16.
  5. IMO Assembly Directive 1047 (27) Available at:. http://www.imo.org/en/KnowledgeCentre/IndexofIMOResolutions/Documents/A%20-%20Assembly/1047(27).pdf (Accessed: 22/01/2019).
  6. IAMSAR Manual, International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue Manual, vol. II, ISBN 92-9194-925-6. IMO/ICAO, London/Quebec. 2007: 411.
  7. List of Coast Stations and Special Service Stations. Available at: . https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-R/terrestrial/mars/Documents/List%20IV_1st_Update_May2018.pdf (Accessed: 10/01/2019).
  8. Manual for Use by the Maritime Mobile and Maritime Mobile-Satellite Services (Maritime Manual) ISBN: 978-92-61-17851-2. Geneva, International Telecommunication Union ITU. 2016;782.
  9. Wilson T, Stewart C, Sword-Daniels V, et al. Volcanic ash impacts on critical infrastructure. Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Parts A/B/C. 2012; 45-46: 5–23.
  10. International Code of Signals, as adopted by the Fourth Assembly of the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization in 1965, US edition 1969, U.S. Government Printing Office, Maryland, revised 2003.