BayCare Health System will launch Tampa Bay’s first healthcare drone service in late 2027. The nonprofit plans to fly medications, lab samples, and critical supplies across the region. On Wednesday, BayCare announced its partnership with Zipline to begin operations in Pinellas County before moving into Hillsborough.
The flying service will transport lab samples from urgent care centers, emergency rooms, and home care patients to hospital labs. Patients can receive prescriptions at their homes. If a provider needs an acute medical intervention, a drone can deliver supplies and medications to a patient’s location within minutes.
The Clearwater-based healthcare network will join a small group of health systems nationwide that have announced drone-based medical logistics programs. Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville has one. BayCare operates 16 hospitals across the Tampa area…