How Are Medical Emergencies Handled At Sea

[Abril222]

Just returned from a 31 day segment of the world cruise on the QM2 - New York to Santiago. Two weeks after getting off the ship my travel companion experienced a retinal detachment which needed immediate surgery. Has anyone had anything similar happen on a ship? How was it handled? As a frequent cruiser it is important to be prepared for all emergencies. Thank you for all your information...

Edited March 9, 2016 by Abril222
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[Underwatr]

They'll stabilize you and get you off to a land-based hospital as soon as they can. Make sure you have good evacuation coverage.

[jimmybean]

I think "how it would be handled" would depend on both the kind of medical emergency and the distance to shore/a hospital. Sometimes, people are helicoptered off ships to get medical attention.

 

A retinal tear should be treated immediately, but it is possible for a tear to remain stable (for a period of time, until proper treatment can be given) and my retinal specialist told me that 5 % of retinal tears can actually self-heal (through scarring as mine miraculously did). Most of the time, however, there is the real possibility of blindness without immediate surgery, if the tear becomes a detachment.

 

I don't believe a ship's doctor is a master of all trades, who would be able to perform a retinal reattachment---which is very specialized surgery. Even the two broken arms I saw on the QM2 were just stabilized until an orthopedic doctor could properly set the bones, after the ship was in port.

 

Occasionally, one hears a call for the medical team to rush to a specific cabin--probably to respond to a heart attack. Antibiotic medications and seasickness medicine will be available on a ship. If a serious medical emergency arises, of course, the best place to be is on land and near a hospital.

 

Sometimes, we know our health risks and can have them evaluated before setting sail. Sometimes, health problems arise without warning. Of course, there is some risk in being at sea, far from medical resources. But, most of us have survived ocean travel unscathed. Nonetheless, if there are any worries, having a good medical check-up before traveling seems prudent.

[pepperrn]

I think "how it would be handled" would depend on both the kind of medical emergency and the distance to shore/a hospital. Sometimes, people are helicoptered off ships to get medical attention. A retinal tear should be treated immediately, but it is possible for a tear to remain stable (for a period of time, until proper treatment can be given) and my retinal specialist told me that 5 % of retinal tears can actually self-heal (through scarring as mine miraculously did). Most of the time, however, there is the real possibility of blindness without immediate surgery, if the tear becomes a detachment. I don't believe a ship's doctor is a master of all trades, who would be able to perform a retinal reattachment---which is very specialized surgery. Even the two broken arms I saw on the QM2 were just stabilized until an orthopedic doctor could properly set the bones, after the ship was in port. Occasionally, one hears a call for the medical team to rush to a specific cabin--probably to respond to a heart attack. Antibiotic medications and seasickness medicine will be available on a ship. If a serious medical emergency arises, of course, the best place to be is on land and near a hospital. Sometimes, we know our health risks and can have them evaluated before setting sail. Sometimes, health problems arise without warning. Of course, there is some risk in being at sea, far from medical resources. But, most of us have survived ocean travel unscathed. Nonetheless, if there are any worries, having a good medical check-up before traveling seems prudent.

Excellent, well written post, thank you :)

[GP&LK]

I found this sometime back, worth a read http://www.beyondships2.com/queen-mary-2-medical.html

[chengkp75]

I found this sometime back, worth a read http://www.beyondships2.com/queen-mary-2-medical.html

 

Nice article, the staffing is higher than most cruise ships, though. I will add that the cruise lines all belong to medical advisory services, so that if something happens that the ship's doctors are not trained for or familiar with, they call the service and specialists will be available for consultation.

[Bigmike911]

A former frequent poster here JimsGirl, suffered a stroke on a cruise and because she had signed up for insurance, she was placed in a hospital in Belgium (I don't think she was very happy with their bed-side manner though) and when she was stable, the insurance people booked a return business class flight and sent her home with a companion they also paid for. She spoke highly of the experience and care she was given. I believe she signed up for the Cunard Care. Staff on QM2 packed up her things and delivered them to the hospital or to her home in Florida.

Edited March 9, 2016 by Bigmike911

[Keith1010]

IN the end it depends what the doctor says and the situation of the patient and where the ship is at the time.

 

Keith