The airline Emirates has invested $2.4 million in an advanced telemedicine system to improve medical care on board.
The system, called Parsys, has now been installed on 300 aircraft. It utilizes high-resolution video transmission, remote examinations, and a 12-channel ECG, allowing for more efficient treatment of medical emergencies.
The system consists of a portable telemedicine kit equipped with various medical measuring instruments, including a pulse oximeter, blood pressure monitor, thermometer, and ECG. According to Emirates, the collected vital signs are automatically transmitted via Bluetooth to a Medcapture device, which then sends real-time data to medical ground staff in Dubai. This allows specialists on the ground to immediately provide advice to cabin crew and, if necessary, to doctors on board.
The technology has already proven its effectiveness. During a recent flight to Lyon, an elderly passenger experienced severe cardiovascular problems. Thanks to real-time communication with the medical team on the ground, the passenger was stabilized, potentially avoiding an emergency landing.
In addition to this new technology, Emirates continues to invest in medical training for its cabin crew. New crew members undergo an intensive eight-week training program, covering lifesaving skills such as CPR, defibrillator use, and first aid for allergic reactions. This training is repeated annually and supplemented with simulation exercises to ensure skills remain up to date.