Transatlantic health emergencies

[katgio50]

I used to not worry about health emergencies, but due to recent issues, I do. I have never done a TA, but wondered what happens when someone needs urgent medical attention. Do they have more medical staff on a TA? I would assume that evacuations are out of the question for several days. Just wondering.

[hulamoon]

Not sure if they have extra medical staff. But I have seen patients off loaded in Bermuda by helicopter.

[queen61]

During a TA at the officers on stage Q and A I tried to ask a serious question of the Doc as to scope and extent of medical capabilities. I was met with a stone wall even mocking no response. I obviously thought it was a good question especially due to the demographics of the passengers It still upsets me. Unfortunately have begun to question the wisdom of either a TA or TP. It would be nice to know what is available vis a vis cardiac issues the number 1 killer of Americans or can they do any kind of life saving surgery at all?

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

It's a cruise ship, not a hospital. I doubt seriously they are set up for surgery. There will be a doctor and nurse on board, just as there are on all cruises. If you're really concerned, you might call Celebrity and inquire. Otherwise, perhaps you are not a candidate for a TA.

[hulamoon]

Most lines have more than one nurse. THey do dialysis and I asked one line if they could do plasma and I was told yes.

 

I would call because your concerns need to be addressed by Celebrity.

[Biker19]

If it is a true emergency, it doesn't make much diff is land/help is 2 days or 2 hrs away. For everything else, the medical staff will take care of you. Bonus - you'll be the first off at the next port of call.:cool:

[Keith1010]

The Medical Staff is no different on a crossing compared to a port intensive cruise.

 

Keith

[Minoushka]

I got quite sick on a Transat on Epic I went to the doctor got meds and was fine ,.They were very well equipped .i caught a terrible bronchitis and needed anti biotics which they had and it developed into an ear,eye throat infection ....boy was i a mess

They were very nice checking up on me regularly .their sick bay was very well equippedwith an ORAnd Xray etc

I caught cold In Florence when we came from Barcelona where it had been very warm to

Florence and0 degrees .I was not well dressed and picked up this nasty bug .It was bitterly cold and i got chilled to the bone ...needless to say I got very sick ...plus the ship itself was collllld ...but I was well taken care of

 

Michele

[Ex-Airbalancer]

I have been on the Equinox were it turned around and head back to Funchal to meet a helicopter for evacuation, next year the same ship increased speed to get into FLL 6 hours early to get some to the hospital

Wife meet a woman on the elevator, and was told her husband had died on ship

Been on TAs were they have had announcements for blood

I have get my blood test last month for blood thinners, they had a machine and was done in 5 mins, much faster then if I was in a hospital back home

They had a doctor and a couple nurses on staff

Just think you are in a small town far out in the country and anything can happen

[Lsimon]

We were on the Connie in 2008 crossing from the Azores to New Jersey when a passenger got ill. We traveled north, out of our way, for almost 24 hours until we were within range of helicopters from either Newfoundland or Nova Scotia (can't recall which). The ship made up time and we arrived at port on schedule but I think the last couple days were a bit colder then they otherwise might have been had we stayed on a slightly more southern course.

[Pushka]

On a recent QM2 behind the scenes tour this topic was raised. Medical evacuations by helicopter are extremely risky to the ship, passengers and crew and rarely used. There is a point at which there is no possibility of any type of evacuation craft reaching the ship anyway. At this point, if say it's appendicitis the Medical staff will not operate but instead provide high dosage antibiotics and pain relief. A heart attack will be monitored but again no surgery will be performed. Oxygen (which is apparently really expensive onboard and dangerous) is provided where needed, as is pain relief.

 

So all this comes to a head on a TA.

[ClairetoCruise]

As we age it becomes a bigger decision to book a Trans-Atlantic or Trans-Pacific cruise. We decided NOT to take anymore chances THEN booked a Trans-Atlantic. We weren't thinking, duh.

 

Three years ago in the Pacific, my retina detached. Bad news as the closest hospitals were Nicaragua or Acapulco, And, I could not fly home for at least two weeks after surgery.

 

The ships medical center could do nothing except check my peripheral vision.

 

I knew not to fly home (altitude is bad for torn retina) from the west coast to a DC airport. We stayed two more weeks on the cruise ship going through the Panama Canal, port stops, and a drive home before seeing a retina specialist to repair my eye. I'm lucky I did not lose the eye, but am now correctible to 20/100. Eventually we will find resolution to the continuing eye issues but will travel in spite of health problems.

 

We continue to take chances because we were born to travel. We'll travel to the end with Medjet Assist and insurance coverage for heart, bones, and other problems.

 

In answer to the OP, decide if you want to chance a medical issue while at sea.

The medical centers on ships have contacts ashore but there is a limit to the at sea capability. Thus, passengers are airlifted off the ship when possible.

 

Claire

Edited May 19, 2014 by ClairetoCruise

[Hapytocruise]

I would not go on a "many sea days" "long way from anywhere" cruise if I had life threatening health concerns. Although my DH would disagree as that is the way he wants to leave this world (on a cruise ship). Seriously!!!!

[amberben]

My husband and I where on a cruise a few years ago and had just left Hawaii ....well about 12 hours out. Had two medicial emergencies on board and needed to trun around. They said they couldnt even be met by helicopter as one of the two people was too ill to be airlifted. So we turned around and when we got to the island there was two ambulances waiting to take them straight off. So they will do anything to get them the help they need.

Only problem was our travel insurance wouldnt pay out as we was a day later coming into dock and missed out flights. Apparently we was not covered because it was someone elses Medical Emergency and not our.! But that is another story.!!

[UFMOM]

Two years ago we were on a RT South Pacific when a passenger became ill and we ended up stopping off of Christmas Island ( not on our itinerary) for over 24 hours waiting for a rescue plane that turned up 8 hours late. We had to miss one of our islands that was supposed to be a fantastic diving and snorkeling stop.

 

Mary Ann

[Clydesmom7865]

It would be nice to know what is available vis a vis cardiac issues the number 1 killer of Americans or can they do any kind of life saving surgery at all?

 

If you cut yourself REALLY badly and were hemorrhaging they could stitch it shut but as for "life saving surgery" such as bypass, appendectomy, or brain surgery: no they cannot do any of that. The physician on board is not likely to be a surgeon anyway.

 

As for cardiac issues they have a limited supply of cardiac drugs and a crash cart. There are monitors and the ability to do an EKG. They can do supportive cardiac care but if you need emergency bypass in the middle of a transatlantic cruise you will be waiting until you can be medevaced off or until you reach the USA or Europe.

[ghstudio]

If you cut yourself REALLY badly and were hemorrhaging they could stitch it shut but as for "life saving surgery" such as bypass, appendectomy, or brain surgery: no they cannot do any of that. The physician on board is not likely to be a surgeon anyway.

 

As for cardiac issues they have a limited supply of cardiac drugs and a crash cart. There are monitors and the ability to do an EKG. They can do supportive cardiac care but if you need emergency bypass in the middle of a transatlantic cruise you will be waiting until you can be medevaced off or until you reach the USA or Europe.

 

It would be nice to know if they carry drugs to help limit a stroke....(non-invasive treatment).

[Maureenie Beanie]

It's a cruise ship, not a hospital. I doubt seriously they are set up for surgery. There will be a doctor and nurse on board, just as there are on all cruises. If you're really concerned, you might call Celebrity and inquire. Otherwise, perhaps you are not a candidate for a TA.

 

I think that was a bit rude response. Even a extremely person can suddenly experience a severe medical issue. Maybe we need to get the question answered.

[dkjretired]

We were on a cruise years ago and a patient was transported to one of the US Navy's carriers.

[simon stingray]

Only problem was our travel insurance wouldnt pay out as we was a day later coming into dock and missed out flights. Apparently we was not covered because it was someone elses Medical Emergency and not our.! But that is another story.!!

 

Disgraceful treatment by your insurer IMHO.

 

Your trip was delayed due to circumstances completely out of your control.

 

I hate it when insurers find ridiculous reasons to decline valid claims and would have considered referring the case to the insurance ombudsman:mad:

[mbsilk]

Two years ago we were on a RT South Pacific when a passenger became ill and we ended up stopping off of Christmas Island ( not on our itinerary) for over 24 hours waiting for a rescue plane that turned up 8 hours late. We had to miss one of our islands that was supposed to be a fantastic diving and snorkeling stop.

 

Mary Ann

 

The Holland America Westerdam Tahiti trip? We were there.

[mbsilk]

It would be nice to know if they carry drugs to help limit a stroke....(non-invasive treatment).

 

Unless they have a CT scanner on board to make sure it is not one of the 15% of strokes that are hemorrhagic which would make TPA or an equivalent lethal I do not think so.

[Clydesmom7865]

It would be nice to know if they carry drugs to help limit a stroke....(non-invasive treatment).

 

Part of every crash cart are anti-coagulating drugs but as has been said without knowing whether the stroke is hemorrhagic or not they are not likely to administer them. The patient would already have to be on blood thinners for them to take that risk.

 

I seriously doubt they have TPA on board cruise ships and I know they do not have a CT scanner. A stroke in progress would be an acute situation calling for emergency evacuation as soon as possible.

[WpgCruise]

I suggest if anyone is thinking a cruise ship medical centre can provide Level 1 Trauma Support they are mistaken.

 

I equate the medical care on a ship to that available in most small isolated communities with a population of 3,000 people. Basic support pending removal is the best I would expect.

 

FWIW, and just my opinion but anyone with a serious chronic condition embarking on a T.A or T.P cruise knowing advanced support is days away is not only risking their own life but the lives of the rescue people who would try and help in an evacuation situation.

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

I think that was a bit rude response. Even a extremely person can suddenly experience a severe medical issue. Maybe we need to get the question answered.

 

Sorry you were offended by my post. Facts are facts, unfortunately. I believe I suggested that the poster contact Celebrity for an answer.