Enhancing Superyacht Medical Diagnostics with Technology

Beyond the Basics: Smarter Medical Capabilities Onboard 

Continued advancements in technology are making historically complex medical diagnostic equipment more accessible. The result is that crew and supporting medical providers are able to better manage and diagnose an increasing range of injuries and illnesses onboard.

Although a Physician may not always be onboard, when they are, the ability for near-immediate lab quality results, combined with the additional confidence of telemedical support, can in some cases hugely impact the overall guest experience.

When it comes to onboard medical diagnostics, the four main categories are:

1. Medical Monitoring Solutions
2. PCR & Antigen Testing
3. Blood Chemistry and Component (Haematology) Tests
4. Imaging

Collectively, and separately these diagnostic capabilities can provide a detailed insight into an individual's overall health, assisting with both emergency care and helping to triage routine issues onboard. Below we explain how you can use this technology to your advantage.

1. Real-time health insights with Medical Monitoring Solutions

Medical monitoring solutions like the Corpuls3, Tempus Pro, and MedAire’s Digital Assessment Kit (DAK) streamline the process of obtaining and monitoring vital signs such as temperature, blood pressure, blood oxygen levels, and ECG.

Use Cases:

• Emergency Response: The ability to transmit clinical grade data to MedAire’s medical team onshore can enable improved diagnosis and guidance and help us to determine whether a medical emergency is occurring i.e. in a case of chest pain.
• Routine Health Checks: Regular monitoring of guests and crew can help in early detection of potential health issues, provide peace of mind to the guest and potentially avoid a shoreside evaluation.
  
  

2. Rapid Infection Detection with PCR & Antigen Testing

These tests can detect a range of illnesses and infection from respiratory diseases such as RSV and Influenza to STIs. The range of available tests continues to expand, and PCR is emerging as a key area in point-of-care health to watch closely in the future.

Use Cases:

• Definitive Disease Diagnosis:  Obtaining lab quality, gold standard, results from simple swabs within the hour can provide a huge benefit for accuracy of diagnosis and definitive treatment e.g. the most suitable antibiotics
  
  

3. Informed Decision-Making with Haematology and Blood Chemistry Tests

Haematology:  The ability to quickly and accurately determine Full Blood Count (FBC) results onboard and without delay can be a gamechanger, helping determine the difference between types of infections e.g. bacterial or viral, by analysing white blood cell profiles.

In addition, accurately measuring the levels of red blood cells and platelets can help in diagnosing conditions like anaemia, and clotting disorders. These tests can be particularly relevant in older individuals that may have pre-existing medical conditions that require closer monitoring.

Blood Chemistry Tests: Blood chemistry tests measure the levels of various chemicals and substances in the blood, including electrolytes, glucose, and enzymes.

These tests are crucial for assessing organ function, detecting metabolic imbalances, and monitoring chronic conditions.

Use Cases:

• Chronic Condition Management: Monitoring conditions like diabetes, kidney diseases, and liver diseases through regular blood tests can help in managing these conditions more effectively.
• Acute Illness Diagnosis: Quick diagnosis of infections and other acute conditions can be made through blood tests, facilitating prompter treatment.

Find out more about point of care testing here.

4. Enhanced Injury and Illness Assessment with Imaging

Advanced imaging technologies, including ultrasound and portable digital X-ray allow insights to help diagnose and better understand both injury and illnesses.

Use Cases:

• Injury Assessment: Imaging can help in assessing injuries such as fractures or internal bleeding, providing critical information for treatment decisions. This can include the need to offboard and/or divert. In some cases, doing so can be both dangerous and/or costly.
• Routine Health Checks:  For a medical professional, access to onboard ultrasound in particular can help in monitoring ongoing health conditions and ensuring that any changes are detected early.

Technology Can Enhance Crew Health Onboard

With well-established supply chains, a dedicated customer care team and extensive medical knowledge and oversight; MedAire acts as partner in helping you achieve your desired level of onboard healthcare, including in the implementation of such technology and periodic professional medical staffing.

Integrating advanced medical diagnostic technologies on yachts significantly enhances the ability to manage health emergencies and routine medical care. These tools not only provide peace of mind but also ensure that guests and crew can enjoy their time at sea with the assurance that their health is in good hands.

For more detailed information on these technologies, find out more here or speak to our team.