Dubai airline Emirates is using technology from French firm Parsys Telemedicine to bring telemedicine services to passengers on its flights.

The equipment will enable customers to receive high-quality, speedy medical care in the air.

Emirates has invested more than $2.4m in co-designing the equipment set with Parsys. This will be rolled out to 300 aircraft over the next few years. The telemedicine station has features such as high-definition video conferencing, remote passenger assessment, secure data transmission and 12-leads telecardia ECG, helping Emirates’ trained cabin crew save lives in emergency situations.

The kit is the result of a yearlong collaboration between Emirates and Parsys to create a bespoke inflight tool that is more efficient and reliable, more connected, and ultimately safer for Emirates’ passengers.

The kit is an integrated, portable telemedicine station designed for cabin crew to gather important information and vital signs, which can then be transmitted to Emirates’ ground medical support – a team of medical professionals who sit in Emirates Dubai headquarters and are contactable round the clock.

The kit includes several medical devices such as a pulse oximeter, thermometer, blood pressure monitor, glucometer and ECG. Passengers who need medical support onboard flights can now have their vital signs or readings automatically transmitted to the Medcapture (parsys.com/en/medcapture) device via Bluetooth, eliminating any need for cabin crew to take notes and relay information manually.

The Medcapture device is a tablet that contains software customised to align with Emirates’ medical procedures. The interface has an intuitive and easy-to-use design so crew members can operate it efficiently, even under difficult conditions. It also allows cabin crew to have real-time communication with the ground medical support team, ensuring immediate access to expert medical advice while in the air. The tablet enables cabin crew to connect with ground-based doctors for real-time assessment of passenger medical cases. In some instances, it allows doctors to evaluate injuries or medical concerns visually remotely if required.

Linked to the Medcapture device is the Parsys Cloud (parsys.com/en/cloud), a cloud-based platform for ground medical support to receive inflight data and communicate with cabin crew. It ensures passenger data are handled in compliance with data protection regulations.

The kits are already installed on multiple aircraft and have been instrumental in several successful medical cases so far.

During a recent flight to Lyon, France, an elderly passenger experienced a medical emergency affecting her cardiovascular system, leading to a significant drop in her oxygen levels and another vital sign. Cabin crew quickly provided oxygen and used the MedCapture device to share her vital signs with the medical support team on the ground.

The ground 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 care.

Medical training and support for cabin crew is a priority at Emirates (www.emirates.com). New joiners undergo eight weeks of intense ab-initio training. The ab-initio period includes courses from security to service, safety and emergency to hospitality, and the medical response training. Using a combination of practical, in-situ, classroom and online learning, recruits are taught lessons to save lives. The Parsys (parsys.com) kit is introduced to cabin crew through a blended approach of e-learning and practical learning.

Cabin crew receive medical training to handle 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 simulation technology. This training, led by certified aviation first aid instructors, takes place at the Emirates cabin crew training centre in Dubai.

Cabin crew knowledge and skills are put to the test each year, and crew are required to complete a 1.5-hour online course, two-hour practical session for CPR, AED, severe bleeding and severe allergy management, with assessments for each. The crew also participate in a flight simulation exercise annually to ensure they are equipped to handle any medical incidents and their knowledge is regularly refreshed.

From a psychological perspective, 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 an employee assistance programme, a peer support service, and Sehaty, Emirates’ employee wellbeing programme.