If you have ever watched a movie or television series with hospital emergency room scenes, you have undoubtedly heard a medical professional say that they need something “Stat.” The context alone lets you know that the meaning is “immediately.” Did you ever wonder why “Stat” means “immediately?”

If the word was “stats” at least we know it is simply a shortened version of “statistics.” But the origin of “stat” as “immediately” is an abbreviation for the Latin word statim, also meaning “immediately.” Ok…. but why did the medical profession pick up the word for use? When stat first entered the English lexicon in the early 19th century, it was used by physicians clarifying that a drug or procedure should be administered immediately – with Latin being a source of words that could move across language barriers.

“Stat” is used today, sometimes to differentiate a medication that must be administered immediately from two other types of medication orders that are to be given immediately. What about if the medication is to be given as needed? Thank you, Latin for for pro re nata (literally, “for the affair born”), meaning “as needed.”

So, here’s hoping you read my blog pro re nata – or stat when a new one is published!