Cathy Kearns wrote:
> "greatviz" wrote in message
> news:DOPbf.245750$p_1.225730@tornado.tampabay.rr.com...
>
>>Unfortunately, on a transatlantic cruise you could be days away from
>>pediatric emergency care. No medivacs/helicopters fly in that kind of
>>range. On a coastal trip, there could still be a delay in appropriate
>>treatment - but it won't be 3, 4, or 5 days delay.
>>
>>Pediatric emergencies in a child under the age of one are often outright
>> -emergencies-
>>Things can get very ugly very quickly. Although the chance of such an
>>emergency is very small, the risks associated with it are extremely
>>high. The cruise line has decided to limit some of that risk by
>>creating rules that put limits on the ages of their child cruisers.
>>
>>There is a doctor and a few nurses on the ship, but unless the doc is a
>>pediatrician experienced in all pediatric specialties, don't expect the
>>level of care your child could receive at a land based facility.
>>He can't perform every test. He doesn't have every drug available. He
>>may be reliant on a phone call or internet services to make emergency
>>consultations with a specialist. It takes very precious time relaying
>>information back and forth and it doesn't take the place of actually
>>examining the child her/himself. Experienced hands and a well equipped
>>facility -can- make a difference in the final outcome in any medical
>>emergency.
>
>
> This would obviously be true for the elderly too. There are no geriatric or
> heart specialists on the cruise either, yet I've never heard any
> restrictions on elderly,
Sure, emergency care for pediatrics can be analogous to the emergency
care of geriatrics. They are both special populations with special
needs. 6 month olds and 90 year olds don't respond like young adults to
disease process or use of medications and interventions. Old folks who
simply fall and break something can certainly be on their way to the
downward spiral of immobility and vulnerability to disease.
Why the rule for the youngsters? Perhaps because we are less tolerant of
losing a young life than an old one. "He died doing what he loved
best." "His heart just finally gave out." That just doesn't work for a
3 month old like it does for a 93 year old.
Also, think of the chances for successful litigation - I'm sure the
cruise lines consider it.
In the event that medical care on the ship proves inadequate for the
task at hand:
a)The "old guy" down the corridor who knew there were risks when he
decided to sail the ocean blue in less than stellar health.
b)The grieving young couple with a perfect baby, now childless - "Nobody
told us that..."
The line is just being self protective, IMO.
or for that matter less than healthy cruisers.
Less than healthy cruisers should know they are taking their chances.
Even healthy cruisers, since anything can happen. It depends on the
perceived level of risk the cruiser is prepared to take.
Why
> is that?
Because they said so ;)
>
>
|
