Airport Hospitals: The Ultimate Travel Companion

Airport medical facilities are few and far between. In the United States, only San Francisco International Airport has an always-open medical clinic in a passenger terminal. However, several major airports in North America have walk-in medical clinics that can be extremely useful for travellers with unexpected health issues. These clinics can provide urgent care, primary medical care, travel medicine, and immunizations. Some even offer pharmacy services and can provide notes for travellers who are too unwell to continue their journey.

Medical care for non-life-threatening illnesses

If you are experiencing a non-life-threatening illness, it is important to understand your options for medical care. While most people will call their primary care physician, it may not always be easy to get an appointment promptly. Urgent care centers are a popular option for those experiencing non-life-threatening health problems, as they are very convenient and typically have shorter wait times than emergency rooms.

Urgent care centers are equipped to handle a range of non-life-threatening conditions, including minor cuts, burns, sprains, strains, and fractures, as well as illnesses such as sinus infections, strep throat, ear infections, common colds, influenza, gastroenteritis, allergies, sinusitis, food poisoning, bronchitis, urinary tract infections, conjunctivitis, and migraines. They can also provide pediatric services, lab testing, x-rays, and vaccinations.

When deciding between urgent care and the emergency room, consider the severity of your condition. Urgent care is ideal for non-life-threatening situations that need quick treatment but are not severe enough for an ER visit. For example, a minor burn or sprain would typically be treated at an urgent care center. In contrast, life-threatening emergencies such as chest pain, severe breathing difficulties, major trauma, or unconsciousness require the specialized resources and critical care provided by an emergency room.

In addition to their convenience and shorter wait times, urgent care centers offer other benefits, such as cost efficiency. Emergency room visits can be expensive, while urgent care centers are more affordable and often covered by insurance plans, including Medicaid. Urgent care centers also operate outside regular business hours, providing flexible options when your primary doctor's office is closed.

If you are travelling and fall ill, several major airports in North America have walk-in medical clinics that can provide care for non-life-threatening illnesses. These airport clinics can treat a range of conditions, offer travel first-aid kits, immunizations, and pharmacy services. However, not all airports have on-site medical facilities, and in such cases, you may need to go to the nearest hospital emergency room or off-site clinic.

On-site pharmacies

The benefits of on-site pharmacies at airport hospitals are evident in several airports around the world. For example, the Vancouver Airport Medical Clinic in Canada offers primary, family, and specialised care, with doctors and health professionals providing travel medicine, physiotherapy, podiatry, and acute injury management. The clinic is conveniently located next to a full-service pharmacy, making it a one-stop shop for travellers' medical needs.

Similarly, the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has partnered with Reliant Urgent Care Medical Group to provide travellers with an on-site pharmacy, in addition to travel immunisations and urgent medical care. This pharmacy is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, ensuring round-the-clock access to medications for travellers passing through the busy airport.

Another example is the Nashville International Airport, which houses the CareHere! Walk-in Clinic and Wellness Store. In addition to primary care, illness care, and chiropractic care, this facility includes an in-store pharmacy and offers over-the-counter medications for added convenience.

The presence of on-site pharmacies at airport hospitals fills a critical gap in travel healthcare. These pharmacies cater to a diverse range of travellers, including those with chronic illnesses, children, and the elderly, ensuring they can access the medications and health products they need while on the move. Additionally, airport pharmacies can provide essential services during pandemics, such as supplying personal protective equipment (PPE) and offering health advice to travellers, as seen during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Overall, on-site pharmacies at airport hospitals offer a valuable service to travellers by providing easy access to medications and health-related products and services. By meeting the health needs of travellers, these pharmacies contribute to a more positive and stress-free travel experience.

Travel medicine and immunizations

When travelling, it's important to ensure you have the correct immunizations and medicines to protect yourself and others from disease. International travel increases your chances of encountering and spreading diseases that are rare or non-existent in your home country.

You can find out which travel vaccines and medicines you need by checking the health authority website of your destination country. For example, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides destination-specific travel health information on its website. The CDC also provides a directory of travel clinics, as well as a list of authorized yellow fever vaccine clinics, which often also provide other pre-travel health services.

If you are based in North America, Passport Health is the largest provider of travel medicine services and has clinics throughout the United States.

Some airports also have medical facilities that can provide immunizations and travel medicine advice. For example, the Vancouver Airport Medical Clinic offers travel medicine services, and the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has a clinic that provides travel immunizations and an on-site pharmacy. However, these clinics are not common at all major airports, and it is always best to plan ahead and see a healthcare provider or travel health specialist 4-6 weeks before you leave to get the correct immunizations and medicines.

Ambulance services and paramedics

When it comes to choosing a hospital, paramedics consider the patient's condition and the specialised facilities available at different medical centres. While patients can express their preferred hospital, the ultimate decision is based on ensuring the best care for the patient's specific needs. Factors such as the type of injury or medical issue, the proximity of specialised facilities, and the availability of necessary equipment play a crucial role in determining the destination. In some cases, patients may be transported by helicopter to a designated specialty centre if ground transportation cannot provide rapid enough transport.

Ambulance services operate under specific guidelines and regulations. For instance, Medicare Part B covers ground ambulance transportation when travelling in any other vehicle could endanger the patient's health, as long as they are transported to the nearest appropriate medical facility capable of providing the required care. Additionally, in cases where a patient's health insurance coverage is a concern, paramedics should not inquire about their insurance status to avoid discriminatory practices. Instead, patients are encouraged to volunteer this information to ensure they receive care at an in-network facility.

The cost of ambulance services can be significant, often reaching thousands of dollars. However, insurance providers typically cover at least a portion of these expenses, with Medicare paying 80% of the approved amount. To avoid unnecessary financial burdens, individuals should carefully consider when to call an ambulance, weighing factors such as the urgency of the situation, proximity to the nearest hospital, and the availability of alternative transportation options.

First-aid kits and flight attendants with first-aid training

Flight attendants are trained to recognise and respond to medical emergencies that occur during a flight. Their first-aid training includes instruction on how to use the first-aid kit that the plane is required to carry. They are taught to assess the nature and severity of the injury or illness, provide immediate care, and manage medical equipment. This includes administering basic first aid treatments such as CPR and wound dressing, assisting with automated external defibrillators (AEDs), and ensuring the safety and comfort of the individual until further medical assistance arrives.

The first-aid kits on planes are equipped with the necessary supplies to handle a range of medical situations. While the specific contents of these kits may vary, they typically include items such as band-aids, wound dressing materials, and other basic first aid supplies. In addition to the first-aid kit, planes also carry a separate medical kit that can only be accessed and used by doctors.

The training that flight attendants receive is comprehensive and covers various medical scenarios. They learn how to recognise different medical situations, such as addressing a sick, injured, or unconscious person, administering oxygen, and handling choking, CPR, and AED situations. This training is essential in ensuring that flight attendants can provide effective first aid and stabilise a passenger's condition until further medical help arrives.

In addition to the first-aid kits and trained flight attendants, some airports also have medical facilities that can provide more advanced care. These airport medical clinics offer a range of services, including primary medical care, urgent care, travel medicine, and immunizations. However, not all airports have on-site medical facilities, and in some cases, the nearest treatment option may be at a hospital emergency room, which can be a significant distance away.

Frequently asked questions