Introduction:This paper reports on research into the influence of environmental factors (including crowd size, temperature, humidity, and venue type) on the number of patients and the patient problems presenting to firstaid services at large, public events in Australia. Regression models were developed to predict rates of patient presentation and of transportation-to-a-hospital for future mass gatherings.Objective:To develop a data set and predictive model that can be applied across venues and types of mass gathering events that is not venue or event specific. Data collected will allow informed event planning for future mass gatherings for which health care services are required.Methods:Mass gatherings were defined as public events attended by in excess of 25,000 people. Over a period of 12 months, 201 mass gatherings attended by a combined audience in excess of 12 million people were surveyed through-out Australia. The survey was undertaken by St. John Ambulance Australia personnel. The researchers collected data on the incidence and type of patients presenting for treatment and on the environmental factors that may influence these presentations. A standard reporting format and definition of event geography was employed to overcome the event-specific nature of many previous surveys.Results:There are 11,956 patients in the sample. The patient presentation rate across all event types was 0.992/1,000 attendees, and the transportation-to-hospital rate was 0.027/1,000 persons in attendance. The rates of patient presentations declined slightly as crowd sizes increased. The weather (particularly the relative humidity) was related positively to an increase in the rates of presentations. Other factors that influenced the number and type of patients presenting were the mobility of the crowd, the availability of alcohol, the event being enclosed by a boundary, and the number of patient-care personnel on duty.Three regression models were developed to predict presentation rates at future events.Conclusions:Several features of the event environment influence patient presentation rates, and that the prediction of patient load at these events is complex and multifactorial. The use of regression modeling and close attention to existing historical data for an event can improve planning and the provision of health care services at mass gatherings.

LLDN seems to be at least as safe and efficacious as OLDN in the short-term. However, it remains a technique in evolution. Further high-quality studies are required to resolve some of the outstanding issues surrounding its use, in particular, long-term follow-up of donor complications and recipient graft function and survival.

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The ASERNIP-S Review Group concluded that the evidence-base for laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy was inadequate to make a safety and efficacy recommendation. Clinical and research recommendations were developed regarding the introduction and current practice of this procedure in Australia.

Introduction:First aid is the initial care of the ill or injured. It aims to preserve and protect life, prevent further injury or deterioration of illness, and help promote recovery. At major public events, there is a large gathering of people, physical spectacles, and equipment within a concentrated area, where organized first-aid care is provided.Objective:To analyze the demand for primary medical care at a public event by identifying the patients and initial symptoms that may predict that demand, and to use such information to improve the efficiency and delivery of medical care.Methods:A questionnaire was completed by St. John Operations Branch personnel after each patient consultation and a retrospective analysis of the data was conducted.Results:A total of 1,276 questionnaires were returned. Mean patient presentation rate (PPR) was 1.9±0.47 per 1,000 show attendees. This correlated best with the maximum daily temperature (r = 0.715, p <0.02) and show day (r = 0.615, p <0.05). There was poor correlation with daily attendance (r = −0.235, p >0.54). Mean presentation time was 15:13 h. Of those whose gender was recorded, 58.4% were females, and 41.6% were males. The most frequent age group was 13 to 20 years. The nature and number of initial symptoms are listed. Basic first-aid skills were used for 96.7% of symptoms; 2.4% of patients were referred to the hospital.Conclusions:Temperature and show day significantly contributed to variability of PPR. These factors, together with an estimated PPR and predicted attendance, can be used to forecast demand. Most cases required only basic first-aid skills. Guidelines are suggested for management by nonmedical personnel. A medical officer's role is not reliably defined, but involvement in consultation is suggested.