Safety Management as a Foundation for Evidence-Based Aeromedical Standards and Reporting of Medical Events

Evans AD, Watson DB, Evans SA, Hastings J, Singh J, Thibeault C. Safety management as a foundation for evidence-based aeromedical standards and reporting of medical events. Aviat Space Environ Med 2009; 80:511–5.The different interpretations by States (countries) of the aeromedical standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organization has resulted in a variety of approaches to the development of national aeromedical policy, and consequently a relative lack of harmonization. However, in many areas of aviation, safety management systems have been recently introduced and may represent a way forward. A safety management system can be defined as “A systematic approach to managing safety, including the necessary organizational structures, accountabilities, policies, and procedures” (<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="bib1">1</xref>). There are four main areas where, by applying safety management principles, it may be possible to better use aeromedical data to enhance flight safety. These are: 1) adjustment of the periodicity and content of routine medical examinations to more accurately reflect aeromedical risk; 2) improvement in reporting and analysis of routine medical examination data; 3) improvement in reporting and analysis of in-flight medical events; and 4) support for improved reporting of relevant aeromedical events through the promotion of an appropriate culture by companies and regulatory authorities. This paper explores how the principles of safety management may be applied to aeromedical systems to improve their contribution to safety.