Emirates has invested more than US$2.4 million in bespoke onboard emergency medical equipment, which will be rolled out across 300 of its aircraft over the next few years. The equipment has been developed as part of a year-long collaboration between Emirates and Parsys, a specialist in remote medical technology.
The system includes the Parsys Telemedicine Kit for Emirates, and the Parsys Cloud. The kit is an integrated, portable telemedicine station designed to enable cabin crew to gather important information, readings and vital signs of passengers who need medical support during a flight. Such data can be automatically sent to part of the kit – the Medcapture device – via Bluetooth, eliminating any need for cabin crew to take notes and relay information manually.
Such details can then be transmitted to Emirates’ Ground Medical Support team – a dedicated team of medical professionals based at the Emirates Group Headquarters in Dubai that is contactable 24/7. Should they team suggest action to the cabin crew, they can call upon other parts of the kit, including medical devices such as a pulse oximeter, thermometer, blood pressure monitor, glucometer, and a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG).
The Medcapture device is a tablet which contains a new software application, customised to align with Emirates’ medical procedures. The user-friendly interface means that crew members can operate it efficiently, even under challenging conditions. The tablet enables cabin crew to connect with the medical team for real-time assessment of passenger medical cases. In some instances, it also allows doctors to visually evaluate injuries or medical concerns remotely via high-definition video, if required.
Linked to the Medcapture device is the Parsys Cloud, a cloud-based platform that enables Ground Medical Support to receive inflight data and to communicate with cabin crew.
Early success
The Parsys Telemedicine Kit has already been installed on multiple Emirates aircraft, and the airline says it has been instrumental in several successful medical outcomes so far.
For example, Emirates says that during a recent flight to Lyon, France, an elderly passenger experienced a medical emergency that affected her cardiovascular system, leading to a significant drop in her oxygen levels and another vital sign. The cabin crew quickly provided oxygen and used the Parsys MedCapture device to share her vital signs with the Ground Medical Support team on the ground.
The Ground Medical Support team responded immediately via the Parsys Cloud, connecting to the MedCapture device onboard. With real-time communication and expert guidance, the crew effectively managed the situation, ensuring the passenger received the best possible care. According to Emirates the Parsys system enabled faster, more seamless coordination between the crew and medical team, helping to deliver timely and informed inflight medical support.
Emirates passengers are in safe hands
Of course, crews have to be trained in the use of the kits. New cabin crew joining Emirates undergo eight weeks of intense ‘ab-initio’ training, which includes a wide range of courses, from security to service, safety and emergency, to hospitality, and medical response training. Using a combination of practical, in-situ, classroom and online learning, new recruits are taught lessons to save lives by certified aviation first aid instructors.
Emirates cabin crew receive extensive medical training to handle many inflight emergencies, from fainting and choking to breathing difficulties, allergic reactions, and sudden illnesses. They are also trained in managing injuries, infection control, and onboard hygiene. Life-saving skills such as CPR, Automated External Defibrillator (AED) use, and even childbirth assistance are taught using advanced simulation technology.
Cabin crew are introduced to their latest resource, the new Parsys kit, through a blended approach of e-learning and practical learning.
Cabin crew knowledge and skills are put to the test each year at a recurrent training session, and they are required to complete a 1.5-hour online course, plus a 2-hour practical session for CPR, AED, severe bleeding, and severe allergy management, with assessments for each. Crews also participate in a flight simulation exercise every year to ensure they are fully equipped to handle any medical incidents.
From a psychological perspective, Emirates’ cabin crew also receive training on gaining consent to assist customers, showing empathy to the sick and their families, staying calm, keeping the casualty informed at all stages, and being present with the casualty until the situation improves. They also learn how to break difficult news when required. After any incident, the cabin crew are also provided with support for their own mental health, through Emirates’ Employee Assistance Programme, the Peer Support service, and Sehaty (Emirates’ employee wellbeing programme).
