Mr Spaceman From Canada, joined Mar 2001, 2782 posts, RR: 15 Posted (9 years 6 months 1 week 6 days 14 hours ago) and read 3598 times:
Hello.
I have a quick question for you.
What does the word "STAT" mean that you always hear on TV shows when someone needs medical attention in a hurry? This acronym is always being used in shows where there's a scene in a hospital.
For example .... some guy could be having a heart attack in an emergency ward, and you'll hear the chief nurse yell out to her team to get her some stuff in a needle "STAT!!!!!" or get her the heart paddles "STAT!!!!", etc, etc.
This word STAT is driving my wife and I nuts when we hear it on these shows. It would be nice to know what it means.
Bobrayner From United Kingdom, joined Apr 2003, 2227 posts, RR: 7 Reply 1, posted (9 years 6 months 1 week 6 days 14 hours ago) and read 3585 times:
"Stat" is from the latin word "statim", meaning urgent.
It's useful simply because it's not widely known. Saying "stat" tells colleagues that something is needed urgently, but the patient (or family) doesn't necessarily know. On other occasions, they can say "urgent" which reassures a demanding patient but carries less weight with colleagues.
Disclaimer: I'm not a doctor, just a cunning linguist. YMMV.
Mirrodie From United States of America, joined Apr 2000, 7422 posts, RR: 65 Reply 2, posted (9 years 6 months 1 week 6 days 14 hours ago) and read 3582 times:
It means NOW! do it NOW!
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USAFHummer From United States of America, joined May 2000, 10685 posts, RR: 54 Reply 6, posted (9 years 6 months 1 week 6 days 12 hours ago) and read 3555 times:
I use "stat" a lot and Im not even remotely connected to the medical profession...
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Covert From Ghana, joined Oct 2001, 1436 posts, RR: 2 Reply 7, posted (9 years 6 months 1 week 6 days 12 hours ago) and read 3543 times:
As an EMT, that world is familiar. It is reserved for use in a manner similar to "Mayday" in aviation, being when that word is heard, action must be taken.
Mr Spaceman From Canada, joined Mar 2001, 2782 posts, RR: 15 Reply 8, posted (9 years 6 months 1 week 5 days 17 hours ago) and read 3496 times:
Hi guys.
Thank You all for your replies.
> Bobrayner, cunning linguist or not, Thanks for that detailed info.
I knew the word meant ...... urgency, on the double, as fast as you can, without delay, extreme situation, etc, etc, but I didn't know that it wasn't an acronym. My wife and I have been trying to figure out what the acronym "STAT" stands for. Now, Thanks to you guys, we don't have to rack our brains anymore.
Tonight, I'm going to ask my wife to meet me in our bedroom "STAT"!!!
L-188 From United States of America, joined Jul 1999, 29367 posts, RR: 61 Reply 11, posted (9 years 6 months 1 week 5 days 6 hours ago) and read 3437 times:
I think because of it's popularity in TV shows the word is starting to fall out of favor.
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AZO From United States of America, joined Jun 2002, 765 posts, RR: 1 Reply 12, posted (9 years 6 months 1 week 1 day 21 hours ago) and read 3394 times:
I've never used it or heard it used at work...I think we'd all sound and feel stupid for saying it. Instead of 'stat' we just use 'NOW!' Seems to get the point across.
Av8rPHX From United States of America, joined Mar 2003, 713 posts, RR: 9 Reply 13, posted (9 years 6 months 1 week 1 day 17 hours ago) and read 3370 times:
hrm...
I have never used Stat in EMS... Usually "now" or "i need that right away" works. But then again EMS companies may do it differently than fire departments.
Bigphilnyc From United States of America, joined Jan 2002, 4073 posts, RR: 56 Reply 14, posted (9 years 6 months 1 week 1 day 16 hours ago) and read 3363 times:
Using the term "stat" outside of the medical profesion is really gay.
Mr Spaceman From Canada, joined Mar 2001, 2782 posts, RR: 15 Reply 15, posted (9 years 6 months 1 week 1 day 16 hours ago) and read 3363 times:
Hello.
OK, so now I know what it means (latin background) and that some people use it a lot and some never use it at all.
It does sound like it's a term heard mostly on a TV show.
> BR715-A1-30, she heard a comment followed by the barking command "STAT!!!" the second she walked through the door! It helps that we're both Scorpios.
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