Narrative:

Everything was routine until I was briefed on a passenger medical situation in the cabin. A 19 year old female was light headed and having difficulty breathing. Two doctors were assisting. The purser told them that we could patch to medlink for a consultation [which was] requested a few moments later. While I spoke with [the] doctor; first officer (first officer) established the patch with medlink through dispatch. [The] doctor explained to me that she was concerned about a possible blood clot in the patient's lung; due to the symptoms she was displaying and medication she was currently using. After [the] doctor spoke with medlink; it was decided by all involved that we needed to divert for medical attention. Medlink advised that our closest airport with appropriate facilities for the patient's condition was ZZZZ1. Dispatch and I started to evaluate the airport for a possible diversion. We [advised ATC of] a medical emergency and received a clearance direct to the airport. A few moments later we realized that runway xy was closed. That left only runway xx; at 5700 feet long. ZZZZ was also given to me as an appropriate diversion airport with no applicable notams. I spoke with [the] doctor about how critical the additional 12 minutes of flight time might be. She indicated that amount of additional time would not be a problem. After speaking with my first officer's about the medical condition vs the increased risk with an approach to such a short runway; we were all in agreement that ZZZZ would be a safer operation. I informed dispatch of my decision and we received clearance from ATC direct to ZZZZ. I felt that our situation did not warrant the extra risk of what that type of approach at ZZZZ1 would bring; possible overrun or brake fire and the extra risk to the other passengers and aircraft. We continued to ZZZZ with an uneventful approach and landing. The patient was deplaned by the paramedics and was conscious as she left.

Related reports:

Google
 

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: B767 Captain and a Flight Attendant reported diverting due to an ill passenger.

Narrative: Everything was routine until I was briefed on a passenger medical situation in the cabin. A 19 year old Female was light headed and having difficulty breathing. Two Doctors were assisting. The Purser told them that we could patch to MedLink for a consultation [which was] requested a few moments later. While I spoke with [the] Doctor; First Officer (FO) established the patch with MedLink through Dispatch. [The] Doctor explained to me that she was concerned about a possible Blood Clot in the patient's lung; due to the symptoms she was displaying and medication she was currently using. After [the] Doctor spoke with MedLink; it was decided by all involved that we needed to divert for Medical Attention. MedLink advised that our closest airport with appropriate facilities for the patient's condition was ZZZZ1. Dispatch and I started to evaluate the airport for a possible diversion. We [advised ATC of] a Medical emergency and received a clearance direct to the Airport. A few moments later we realized that Runway XY was closed. That left only Runway XX; at 5700 feet long. ZZZZ was also given to me as an appropriate diversion airport with no applicable NOTAMs. I spoke with [the] Doctor about how critical the additional 12 minutes of flight time might be. She indicated that amount of additional time would not be a problem. After speaking with my FO's about the medical condition vs the increased risk with an approach to such a short runway; we were all in agreement that ZZZZ would be a safer operation. I informed Dispatch of my decision and we received clearance from ATC direct to ZZZZ. I felt that our situation did not warrant the extra risk of what that type of approach at ZZZZ1 would bring; possible overrun or brake fire and the extra risk to the other passengers and aircraft. We continued to ZZZZ with an uneventful approach and landing. The patient was deplaned by the Paramedics and was conscious as she left.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.