Tim Collinson wrote:

> She wanted to know what's the worst medical emergency they've had in
> terms of illness or accident and needing doctor etc.  anyone know?

Looking at some of NASA's pages dedicated to the ISS, the answer looks like some mild hand abrasions related to bumping around the cabin or donning/doffing EVA equipment.
Back pain due to muscle strain and microgravity is one of the most commonly reported problems, as is muscle strains and sprains elsewhere.

The setup on the station is pretty neat, with an ultrasound machine, a very well stocked pharmacy and an immobilization brace to anchor a casualty to a surface so that you can work on them in microgravity.

For basic first aid, things look straightforward.
The training requirement for Station Medical Officers is at best equivalent to general duty ambulance officers or basic EMT providers (EMT-B).
So we're looking at first aid, basic life support (=CPR without airway or drug adjuncts), and possibly the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED).

A major medical crisis would have made the news. The victim would need to be stable enough to return to earth. Said stabilization would require lots of telemedical guidance from the ground...

Astronauts are on average extremely healthy, and extensively medically screened before flight.


Rob O'Connor