Mass-Gathering Medical Care: A Review of the Literature

Abstract

Mass-gatherings events provide a difficult setting for which to plan an appropriate emergency medical response. Many of the variables that affect the level and types of medical needs, have not been fully researched. This review examines these variables.Methods:An extensive review was conducted using the computerized databases Medline and Healthstar from 1977 through May 2002. Articles selected contained information pertaining to mass-gathering variables. These articles were read, abstracted, analyzed, and compiled.Results:Multiple variables are present during a mass gathering, and they interact in complex and dynamic ways. The interaction of these variables contributes to the number of patients treated at an event (medical usage rate) as well as the observed injury patterns. Important variables include weather, event type, event duration, age, crowd mood and density, attendance, and alcohol and drug use.Conclusions:Developing an understanding of the variables associated with mass gatherings should be the first step for event planners. After these variables are considered, a thorough needs analysis can be performed and resource allocation can be based on objective data.

Mass-Gathering Medicine: A Review of the Evidence and Future Directions for Research

“…4 This literature has added to the understanding of individual events and has contributed to planning and the provision of health services during such events. However, much of the existing work is anecdotal or descriptive in character and is limited to the description of a single event or event type.…”

“…In 2002, Milsten et al 4 provided an extensive literature review using searches of Medline and Healthstar from 1997 to May 2002, in effect taking stock of progress over the five-year period since the De Lorenzo 6 and Michael and Barbera 7 reviews. The paper revisits and reviews the multiple, interacting variables that add an element of uncertainty to planning for mass gatherings and argues that an improved understanding of these variables could improve event planning.…”

The Incidence of Sickness/trauma in Spectators of Professional Baseball at the Meiji Jingu Baseball Stadium

“…1,6 Continuous observation of the medical demand at the same events has been reported for the national football league games in the USA. 7 Although baseball games are also popular, there has been no study until now for medical care at any stadium hosting baseball matches.…”

“…1 Therefore, some facilities have a first-aid station and encourage the staff to undergo training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation. However, standards for organization of the first-aid station and equipment / materials at public facilities have not yet been established to date, and are vaguely based on the subjective experience of administrators of facilities.…”

Medical Care at Mass Gatherings: Emergency Medical Services at Large-Scale Rave Events

“…In the United States, the term Medical Usage Rate (MUR) is commonly used, and is defined as the number of first aid attendees per 10,000 event visitors. 4,5 In a nine-year survey at raves in the Netherlands, the average MUR was 79 (range = 59-170). 6 Other countries use Patient Presentation Rates (PPRs), which are calculated as the number of patients per 1,000 event visitors presenting to on-site health care services.…”