PEME Case Studies
Case Studies and Crew Unfitness
Crew unfitness statistics
As of November 2005, there have been 103,408 crew examinations undertaken by the UK Club accredited PEME clinics. Notably 4,523 of these examinations identified unfit crew who were rejected for the reasons illustrated below. These cases could have easily led to repatriation claims. These statistics show the programme is meeting its objective to screen out pre-existing illness prior to commencement of employment.
Case Studies
The importance of properly conducted pre-employment medical examinations is illustrated by the following cases, which occurred outside the Club's PEME programme.
- Some 10 days after joining his ship a seafarer was hospitalised in the United States, initially for an infected injury to his elbow. He developed respiratory problems and needed a tracheotomy to assist with breathing. He stayed in the US hospital for a number of weeks since he was not in a suitable condition to risk repatriation to Europe. It was also discovered that this crewman was diabetic and had a recent history of alcohol abuse. None of these incipient problems were detected during the conventional crew medical examination. When he was finally repatriated to Sweden the total net costs amounted to $307,000.
- Following a conventional medical examination at a local clinic in his resident country a seafarer was despatched to join a ship in the Philippines. Before he had a chance to join his ship, he had to be hospitalized for emergency medical attention due to a painful tumor in his upper abdomen. He was diagnosed to be suffering an advanced stage of stomach cancer. He died within 48 hours of repatriation to his country of origin.
The Club continually reviews the performance of PEME with its Members identifying beneficial improvements and innovations in the medical examinations and the overall administration of PEME.
- One of the Members participating in PEME wanted to know when any of his crew failed a Club medical. The PEME team modified its web-based records system to alert via email each time a crewman was held to be unfit. If a crewman fails their medical, the team are now advised instantly and can forward that information directly to the participating Member.
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