Possible repercussions include the following points.

The patient may not be able to react appropriately to save themselves if an emergency occurs.
The patient presents a risk to others as a result of heightened aggression or slower reaction times in the event of an emergency.
A sedated patient may move less during the flight, which could put them at increased risk of a venous thromboembolism.
The passenger cabin of commercial aeroplanes are usually pressurised to the same atmospheric conditions found at an altitude of 10,000 feet. As such, the effective oxygen level is only 14.3% compared to the 20.9% found at ground level. This difference may well be significant in the context of medications – such as benzodiazepines – that can cause respiratory depression.
The patient will also need to be aware of the rules around importing drugs into the country they're travelling to if they plan to take tablets with them for the flight home.

Claustrophobia and refusal to have MRI scans

It's estimated that every year, approximately two million MRI scans worldwide are not performed because of patients refusing to be scanned or terminating the scan early due to claustrophobia.

There are many resources online that can help prepare patients on what to expect during a scan including step by step explanations and videos of MRIs being performed.

In more severe cases, the NHS website suggests that mild sedatives are an option for people with severe MRI anxiety. However, the MDU would recommend members to carefully consider the 2018 Royal College of Radiologists' guidance, Sedation, analgesia and anaesthesia in the radiology department, which states that a 'trained and credentialed team should administer sedation and analgesia.' There is also an emphasis on thorough pre-procedure assessment, planning and monitoring.

When members contact us about cases relating to claustrophobia and MRI scans, it is usually because they've received a complaint that they were not sympathetic. Common themes are that the doctor has indicated that the patient is 'silly' for being scared of the scan, has wasted NHS money by stopping it, or that there was no discussion about the options available to help the patient prepare for the scan.

Managing common fears and phobias in patients

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Dr Ellie Mein

Managing common fears and phobias in patients