a. Neuropsychiatric Patients. Class lA and lB patients must be clothed in
hospital pajamas and delivered to the aircraft on litters. Class lA patients must be
restrained, and one set of restraints must be available for each class lB patient, to be
used if necessary. Class lC patients are clothed in the appropriate service uniform.
The lA and lC patients do not present any particular problem to the medical crew.
However, the lB patient bears close observation. Such a patient may appear docile, but
his conduct is unpredictable--particularly under the environmental changes associated
with aerial flight. Class lA and lB patients must not have items in their possession which
could be used to harm themselves or others, such as matches, cigarette lighters,
necklaces, neck chains, or sharp instruments. A physician may give written permission
for such patients to wear spectacles, rings, and other articles considered necessary for
the morale, health, and/or welfare of the patient.
b. Litter Patients. All litter patients must be clothed in hospital pajamas and
delivered to the aircraft on litters secured with two litter straps. The originating medical
facility must provide the property necessary for the comfort and safety of the patient,
with due consideration for climatic conditions. Normally, this property will consist of 2
sheets, 1 pillow, 1 pillowcase, 2 blankets, 1 litter mattress, 1 litter, 1 litter strap (or a litter
harness), slippers and robe.
(1) The primary determination as to whether a patient should be classified
as a litter patient or as an ambulatory patient is based upon how long the patient may
be out of bed. If the total time required for the trip--not just flying time, but preparation
time, travel to the aircraft, enplaning, stops enroute, deplaning and travel time to
destination--exceed the time a patient may be out of bed, he should be classified as a
litter patient.
(2) Once a patient has been classified as a litter patient, he must then be
classified as immobile (2A) or mobile (28). The sole criterion for making this
determination is whether the patient can get off his litter and care for himself in case of
an aircraft emergency. For example, a very small child with a minor illness would be
classified 2A, because he is unable to care for himself in an emergency.
c. Walking Patients. Walking patients must be clothed in the appropriate
service uniform, except in an emergency, during field exercises, or under other unusual
circumstances. The originating medical facility must insure that walking patients have
appropriate clothing for climatic conditions at intermediate stops and at destination. In
making the determination whether a walking patient should be classified in class 3 or
class 4 (troop class), it is important to remember that:
(1) A troop class patient needs no medical care during flight. Any prescribed
medication will be carried by the patient and will be self administered.
(2) A troop class patient's destination may be some distance from the
nearest stop made by the aeromedical evacuation aircraft. Therefore, he must be able
to travel unaccompanied, using commercial transportation, if necessary, to his
destination.
MD0002
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