STAT-MD Medical Consultation Services

Why choose STAT-MD?

stat-md-mediacl-doctorOur Company
STAT-MD is a medical consultation service of the not-for-profit Center for Emergency Medicine of Western Pennsylvania, Inc. and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC).

Our Experience
STAT-MD has over 15 years of aviation emergency consultation service. Clients include  commercial, corporate and private air carriers; travel assistance companies and health care agencies.

Our Service
The STAT-MD service is physician driven. The physician, not a designee, is the primary and definitive point of contact for any medical issues.

Our Physicians
STAT-MD Physicians are specialists in emergency medicine from the University of Pittsburgh Department of Emergency Medicine, and are supported by the collective resources of the UPMC Health System.

Our Commitment

  • Ensure the safety of the aircraft and its passengers.
  • Provide the best possible in-flight care to the involved passenger.
  • Keep the aircraft on course.
  • Provide crew support during and after the incident.

Corporate Structure
stat-md-airportSTAT-MD is a medical consultation service of the not-for-profit Center for Emergency Medicine of Western Pennsylvania, Inc. and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. STAT-MD has over 15 years of aviation emergency consultation experience.

The Center for Emergency Medicine of Western Pennsylvania (CEM) is among the world’s leaders in Emergency Medicine care, education and research. CEM has been responsible for shaping the future of emergency medical services (EMS) education in the United States. It is one of the most prolific sites for emergency medicine research in the world. CEM’s physicians and educators are routinely sought worldwide for their expertise.

The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) flagship hospital is a perennial US News national honor roll hospital and is currently ranked #1 in Pennsylvania. UPMC is a 10 billion dollar nonprofit Integrated Healthcare Delivery System with over 20 hospitals and a worldwide medical presence.

Physician Consultation
The STAT-MD service is physician driven. The physician, not a designee, is the primary and definitive point of contact for any medical issues. STAT-MD physicians are board certified medical school faculty academicians and clinicians.

STAT-MD physicians are specialists in emergency medicine from the University of Pittsburgh, Department of Emergency Medicine, and are supported by the collective resources and specialties of the UPMC Health System. STAT-MD physicians have immediate access to world-renowned specialists in Obstetrics, Pediatrics, Surgery, Neurology and many other specialties. These physicians have published the definitive research in the field in the top ranked peer reviewed medical journals.

Physician Availability
stat-md-airplaneWhile on duty STAT-MD Emergency Physicians are dedicated to their responsibilities within the STAT-MD Communications Center and are available in a matter of seconds for every call requesting medical consultation. There are no competing distractions, such as the need to care for patients in an emergency department.

Accessibility
STAT-MD provides immediate around the clock access to a physician through a telemedicine communication center located at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. STAT-MD is able to accept communication via telephone, satellite phone or aircraft radio patch via a dispatch or communications center. All aircraft communication modalities are supported. Additional communications modes such as internet, fax and telemedicine devices are also supported. Translator services are available as necessary to facilitate communications. All communication and computer systems are completely redundant operating on a primary and secondary power source along with an emergency backup. University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

Fitness to Fly Evaluation
STAT-MD physicians provide expertise in passenger evaluation and clearance for passenger travel. Our physicians have a broad understanding of flight physiology and FAA regulations. STAT-MD physicians understand implications of Air Carrier access act. Passenger issues can be identified and addressed before flight. Diversion mitigation occurs as a potential diversion is screened prior to flight. Passenger can be aided on the ground instead of in flight.

In-flight Medical Consultation
Through their extensive training and experience, STAT-MD Emergency Physicians can provide consultation and advice for any in-flight emergency. They are intimately familiar with the level of emergency medical equipment available onboard aircraft and have immediate access to reference cards, digital images of emergency medical kit contents, automatic external defibrillators, and other equipment available to crewmembers. With this information they can provide detailed instructions to those caring for an ailing passenger or crew member. By effectively communicating with the aircrew, onboard volunteer medical assistants and/ or the passenger, STAT-MD physicians are able to evaluate medical situations and provide crucial guidance that can optimize passenger (patient) care and reduce the need for aircraft diversions.

On Board Volunteer Assistance
STAT-MD Emergency Physicians are trained and proficient in querying medical and non-medical personnel about medical issues and at providing instructions for those with limited or no medical training. STAT-MD physicians recognize that each medical consultation and set of circumstances is unique. We provide assistance to Flight Crew by guiding volunteers with limited or no medical knowledge through injury / illness assessment and treatment.

Diversion Coordination
STAT-MD physicians and medical coordinators assist pilot and dispatch in the diversion process which allows on-board staff or medical personnel to focus on patient care. STAT-MD maintains a database of all airports world-wide with the capabilities of each. STAT-MD physicians recognize the costs of diversion and work to mitigate diversions whenever safely possible. STAT-MD provides support to pilot and airline dispatch to identify diversion points capable of handling the specific aircraft and with appropriate medical facilities for the illness or injury. Airline hub information is used to compare suitability of diversion destination when possible.

On Ground Medical Assistance
STAT-MD will arrange emergency ground transport at the destination airport and identify appropriate medical facilities. This relieves dispatch or gate agents of responsibility of arranging ground transportation. Ill or injured passengers will be directed to approved, appropriate local medical facilities and physicians through STAT-MD’s comprehensive database of international and domestic medical facilities and airports. The database contains information on over 1800 facilities worldwide.

Passenger Follow Up
STAT-MD coordinators can obtain passenger disposition where allowed by state and federal regulations. This provides the airline with follow up information and allows for data tracking and diversion QA analysis.

Public Health Compliance
STAT-MD physicians can provide information and recommendations for public health incident notifications for both the US CDC and Health Canada. Fitness to fly recommendations can also be provided for potential public health issues. These services help ensure compliance with public health regulatory regulations and increased passenger and crew safety.

Reporting
All consultations are documented on state of the art, web based charting software, which provides robust data analysis capabilities. Reporting parameters are completely customizable to client needs. The reporting timeline is adaptable to client needs. Automated reporting options are available. Clients receive fully customizable data analysis for Quality Assurance, research, risk management, and other client needs.

Quality Assurance
The Medical Director performs daily diversion review. QA triggers are built into charting software. Multiple QA level reviews, including physician peer review meetings are performed. Diversion trend and root cause analysis are available. Customizable QA collaboration between STAT-MD and airline stakeholders is available based on client need. In person, teleconference, and webinar based meetings available. We provide dedicated diversion review and focus on client partnership to achieved shared goals of passenger safety and diversion mitigation. STAT-MD’s focus is on collaboration across all airline departments to improve communication and desired outcomes.

Medical Kits
STAT-MD can provide consultation utilizing any medical kit regardless of manufacturer. Airlines can procure kits best suited for their needs and budget. When desired, STAT- MD can provide recommendations on contents of medical kits to be used in treatment of common ailments and/or known medical conditions.

Training
The Center for Emergency Medicine of Western Pennsylvania is one of the pre-eminent institutions for emergency medical training in the world. Its staff has been responsible for the development of national curricula for EMS personnel and has authored numerous training manuals and textbooks. STAT-MD physicians are University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine faculty members who are continually engaged in teaching at various levels. Thus, STAT-MD is exceptionally capable in terms of developing and implementing training programs tailored to meet specific needs.