STAT Medical Abbreviation: What You Need to Know

What Does STAT Mean?

STAT is a common medical abbreviation that means immediately or without delay. It comes from the Latin word statim, which translates to “at once.”

When a doctor or nurse uses the term STAT, they are calling for urgent action. It tells others that a medication, test, or procedure must happen right now, not later.

Where Is STAT Used?

You’ll often hear STAT used in hospitals, emergency rooms, and intensive care units. It appears in:

• Verbal instructions
• Medical charts
• Lab and imaging orders
• Prescription orders

Examples:

• “Chest X-ray STAT” - Get the X-ray done immediately
• “Start IV fluids STAT” - Begin treatment right away
• “Give epinephrine STAT” - Administer the medication without delay

In prescription settings, STAT is used to mark medications that must be given immediately, often in life-threatening cases. Unlike routine or scheduled prescriptions, STAT orders are filled and delivered as fast as possible.

What Kind of Orders Are Marked STAT?

STAT can be used for almost anything in medicine, depending on the situation. Common STAT orders include:

• Blood tests (like troponin or blood gases)
• Imaging (X-rays, CT scans)
• Emergency medications
• Surgical prep or consults
• Transport to higher levels of care

In the context of prescriptions, STAT means the pharmacist must prioritize the order, prepare it without delay, and ensure it's administered right away.

STAT orders also apply to lab tests, not just medications. But overusing them can slow things down. A study found that too many STAT test requests can strain lab resources and delay results. The study suggests using STAT only when it’s truly urgent.

STAT vs ASAP vs Routine

Medical teams use several terms to mark urgency. Here's how they differ:

• STAT: Do it now. Life may depend on it.
• ASAP: Do it as soon as possible, but not urgently.
• Routine: Do it in regular order. No rush.

In pharmacies and hospitals, STAT prescriptions bypass the normal queue and are filled first, often hand-delivered to the bedside or treatment area.

Why STAT Matters in Medicine

In emergencies, time makes the difference between life and death. The STAT abbreviation makes communication fast and clear across teams.

When a patient shows signs of:

• Stroke
• Heart attack
• Severe bleeding
• Airway blockage
• Anaphylaxis
• Rapid decline in consciousness

...STAT action can save their life. Everyone in the care team understands the urgency when they see or hear the word.