Case Studies

Protecting Employees Abroad

MEDICAL CONTINGENCY PLANNING AND MEDICAL STAFFING

Protecting Employees Abroad

MEDICAL CONTINGENCY PLANNING AND MEDICAL STAFFING

Challenge:
A U.S. company opened a flagship retail store in Moscow, and a group of 50 North American and European employees spent four weeks in Moscow, working 16-hour days, prior to the official store opening and launch party. The team was under intense time and performance pressure in a city with an unfamiliar medical care system.

Solution:
A comprehensive Medical Contingency Plan was developed to identify the highest quality medical facilities and providers in Moscow as well as direct points of contact and immediate actions to be taken in the event of a medical emergency. A VIGILINT emergency physician was secured to coordinate and provide on-site medical care to the group, including the security team protecting the associated VIPs.

Results:
The store opening and launch party occured without incident. During the four weeks prior, there were 22 medical events managed on-site with minimal disruption to workflow. The employees saved 80 to 100 hours in downtime and left with a high degree of satisfaction.

Executive Traveler Experiences Chest Pains In South Africa

GMAP

Executive Traveler Experiences Chest Pains In South Africa

GMAP

Challenge:
A frequent global business traveler with a complex medical history, including a previous heart attack, a coronary stent, and a pacemaker to control heart arrhythmias, developed chest pain upon arrival to Johannesburg, South Africa.

Solution:
As a VIGILINT’s GMAP member, the individual received a detailed Travel Medical Report identifying the top-ranked cardiologist at the premier heart hospital in Johannesburg. The client directly contacted his VIGILINT physician on-call and was instructed to go to the pre-determined hospital for evaluation. The VIGILINT physician quickly transferred his electronic medical records and immediately coordinated a conference call between the local and U.S.-based cardiologists.

Results:
The client was stabilized overseas and avoided an emergency, high-risk cardiac catheterization. The VIGILINT physician facilitated the client’s medical evacuation back to the U.S. for immediate follow-up care with his personal cardiologist.

Severe Allergic Reaction During a Corporate Retreat

MEDICAL STAFFING

Severe Allergic Reaction During a Corporate Retreat

MEDICAL STAFFING

Challenge:
A five-day corporate retreat was planned at a luxury resort in Hawaii for 250 executives and their families. The response time to the resort for an advanced life-support ambulance was 25 minutes, and the closest hospital was 40 minutes away via ground transportation. During the retreat, an attendee experienced a severe food allergic reaction for the first time.

Solution:
A VIGILINT emergency physician, with advanced medical equipment and medications, had been stationed on-site to provide medical care for the retreat. He immediately treated the patient with an epinephrine injection, IV and steroids to reverse the anaphylactic reaction. The physician continued to monitor the patient’s progress until a complete recovery was made.

Results:
The patient was treated and fully recovered without leaving the resort. VIGILINT’s on-site physician contacted the patient’s family doctor to coordinate follow-up care upon return home. During the five-day retreat, 18 medical events, ranging from minor to severe, were managed on-site with excellent client and patient satisfaction and minimal disruption to program activities.

Handling An Infectious Disease Outbreak At A Luxury Hotel

MEDICAL CRISIS MANAGEMENT

Handling An Infectious Disease Outbreak At A Luxury Hotel

MEDICAL CRISIS MANAGEMENT

Challenge:
A patron at a first-class international hotel became ill and was taken to a local hospital. The hospital alerted the hotel that the patient was diagnosed with meningitis. All employees and guests who potentially had contact with the patient were required to seek immediate medical attention.

Solution:
As partners with the hotel, VIGILINT emergency physicians worked with the hotel’s internal crisis management team to provide subject matter expertise. VIGILINT became the acting medical liaison with the local health department and quickly developed and helped execute a structured approach communicating with at-risk hotel employees and guests needing immediate medical treatment.

Results:
The hotel was able to alert at-risk individuals to get necessary treatment, preventing further exposures and infections, while experiencing minimal disruptions to business operations. VIGILINT evaluated the effectiveness of the response and prepared recommendations for future outbreak situations.

Preparing A Trauma Course And Medical Kit For Reporters In A War Zone

EDUCATION & TRAINING

Preparing A Trauma Course And Medical Kit For Reporters In A War Zone

EDUCATION & TRAINING

Challenge:
A team of reporters, cameramen, and production crew with a major news outlet had a narrow window of opportunity to enter a war-torn country with their security attachment. Each participant needed a custom medical kit and training on how to use the kits within 48 hours of departure.

Solution:
VIGILINT physicians packaged individual medical kits; small, lightweight and are intended to respond to the kinds of trauma likely to be encountered. VIGILINT physicians create a remote orientation module that can be accessed either online or via a flash drive to educate team members on how to utilize their kits.

Results:
Team members were able to stay confident and focused, knowing they had the tools and training to respond to a traumatic injury. There were no medical incidents and the team returned safely home.

A Multigenerational Family Vacation To Asia

GMAP AND MEDICAL CONTINGENCY PLANNING

A Multigenerational Family Vacation To Asia

GMAP AND MEDICAL CONTINGENCY PLANNING

Challenge:
A GMAP member and their family departed on a three-week international trip with stops in multiple countries, including Mongolia, Tibet and China. Ages ranged from 5 – 70+. The Family Office Director was concerned about pre-travel vaccinations, receiving direct medical support while aboard, and how the family could access the best local medical resources and develop an evacuation strategy if anyone in the family became seriously ill or injured.

Solution:
VIGILINT developed a pre-travel medical assessment to provide the family with critical vaccinations recommendations and education about potential endemic risks. Family members also received Travel Medical Kits customized to their individual needs. VIGILINT developed a comprehensive Medical Contingency Plan to identify all local, pre-vetted medical providers and facilities and actions to be taken in case of an emergency. During the course of the trip, a VIGILINT physician remained on-call 24/7 for the family.

Results:
The three-week tour occurred without any major medical incidents. The VIGILINT physician addressed one minor medical event, preventing a disruption of the itinerary, and fielded questions ranging from altitude illness prevention to accounting for changes in the time zone when taking anti-seizure medication.

Navigating St. Petersburg Without Losing Access To First-Class Care

MEDICAL STAFFING AND MEDICAL CONTINGENCY PLANNING

Navigating St. Petersburg Without Losing Access To First-Class Care

MEDICAL STAFFING AND MEDICAL CONTINGENCY PLANNING

Challenge:
A member traveled to St. Petersburg with his family and friends for a five-day tour of the city and surrounding areas. The member profile is such that a security detail accompanied the group. The healthcare system in St. Petersburg is a confusing array of public and private facilities, and the group’s itinerary included several day-trips a few hours outside of the city to areas where emergency medical care is rudimentary.

Solution:
A comprehensive Medical Contingency Plan was developed to identify the highest quality medical facilities and providers in and around St. Petersburg, as well as direct points of contact and immediate actions to be taken in the event of a medical emergency. A VIGILINT emergency physician, with advanced medical equipment and medications, was detailed to provide on-site medical care to the group, including the security team.

Results:
The five-day tour of St. Petersburg occurred without significant medical incident. The VIGILINT physician addressed 11 minor medical events on-site, preventing disruption of the itinerary and enhancing member satisfaction. The presence of coordinated on-site medical support allowed the security team to focus on their primary mission and not be distracted by medical events.

Evacuating A Client From Croatia

GMAP

Evacuating A Client From Croatia

GMAP

Challenge:
While visiting Croatia, a GMAP member passed out in a restaurant late one evening. He was taken to a local hospital where he was diagnosed with gastrointestinal hemorrhaging, possibly from a stomach ulcer. The local hospital stabilized him with emergency blood transfusions.

Solution:
The member’s traveling partner contacted VIGILINT’s 24/7 Medical Operations center, and the on-call physician and operations analyst and immediately contacted the aeromedical evacuation service and coordinated evacuation with the Croatian hospital. The physician and operations analyst contacted the client’s personal physician and arranged a transfer to the member’s home hospital.

Results:
Twelve hours after the incident began, the client was aeromedically evacuated with a nurse and doctor at his side. Twenty-four hours into the incident, the member was at his home hospital.

A Family Falls Ill At A Remote Eco-Resort

TMAP

A Family Falls Ill At A Remote Eco-Resort

TMAP

Challenge:
During a vacation at an eco-resort in Bolivia, multiple TMAP members became ill with gastrointestinal distress. There were no local medical capabilities or facilities and the closest doctor was several hours away.

Solution:
A member called VIGILINT’s 24/7 Medical Operation Center and immediately connected with a VIGILINT physician. The physician assessed all patients and directed them to start treatment using medicine from their customized Travel Medical Kits.

Results:
The family members were treated remotely, using telemedicine, without needing to travel hours for direct care. Since they had their Travel Medical Kits, there was no need to procure foreign prescriptions, which can carry quality risks. Everyone recovered safely without complex side effects (such as dehydration) and the family was able to continue their vacation as planned.

Saving A Life On The New York City Subway

CONSULTATIVE MEDICAL ADVISORY SERVICES AND MEDICAL TRAINING

Saving A Life On The New York City Subway

CONSULTATIVE MEDICAL ADVISORY SERVICES AND MEDICAL TRAINING

Challenge:
The security director for a family office decides that his team should be thoroughly trained to respond to any medical emergency. He would like a program delivered on-site and tailored to their group of learners and specific situations they are likely to encounter.

Solution:
Security team members participated in VIGILINT training for nontraditional medical responders, including medical emergency recognition, activation of an emergency medical response plan, use of personal protective equipment, management of choking, CPR, use of an AED, management of wounds and hemorrhage control, and the recognition of extremity and spinal injuries.

Results:
On the way to work, one of the team members noticed someone suffering from a severe asthma attack while on a NYC subway platform. The team member called 911, performed CPR and resuscitated the victim, who was then safely transported by the paramedics to a local hospital. Due to the expert training provided by VIGILINT, the team member was able to recognize, intervene and overcome a medical emergency, resulting in a life being saved.

“As a global media and communications company, complex medical challenges frequently confront our offices and business travelers. VIGILINT plays a valuable role in our crisis management process as a trusted medical advisor. Their team is incredibly knowledgeable and responsive. Global companies like ours are constantly affected by international health issues and VIGILINT has been a true partner when we needed an informed opinion to help set policy and guidance with respect to medical challenges affecting the health and safety of our employees and our ability to meet our client obligations. They are my first call whenever a medical crisis arises.”

-Director of Business Continuity & Crisis Management, Fortune 500 global advertising and marketing services company