Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-rcrh6 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-25T15:14:52.505Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Medical Support for the 2009 World Police and Fire Games: A Descriptive Analysis of a Large-Scale Participation Event and its Impact

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 March 2011

Samuel J. Gutman
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia Canada
Adam Lund*
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia Canada School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia Canada
Sheila A. Turris
Affiliation:
School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia Canada
*
Correspondence: Adam Lund c/o Emergency DepartmentRoyal Columbian330 East Columbia StreetNew Westminster, British ColumbiaCanadaV3L 3W7

Abstract

Introduction: In the summer of 2009, British Columbia hosted the World Police and Fire Games (WPFG). The event brought together 10,599 athletes from 55 countries. In this descriptive, Canadian study, the composition of the medical team is analyzed, the unique challenges faced are discussed, and an analysis of the illness and injury rates is presented. This event occurred during a labor dispute affecting the sole provider of emergency ambulance service in the jurisdiction, which necessitated additional planning and resource allocation. As such, the context of this event as it relates to the literature on mass gathering medicine is discussed with a focus on how large-scale public events can impact emergency services for the community.

Methods: This is a case report study.

Results: There were 1,462 patient encounters. The majority involved musculo-skeletal injuries (53.8%). The patient presentation rate (PPR) was 109.40/1,000. The medical transfer rate (MTR) was 2.32/1,000. The ambulance transfer rate (ATR) for the 2009 WPFG was 0.52/1,000. In total, 31 patients were transported to the hospital, the majority for diagnostic evaluation. Only seven calls were placed to 9-1-1 for emergency ambulance service.

Conclusions: The 2009 WPFG was a mass-gathering sporting event that presented specific challenges in relation to medical support. Despite relatively high patient presentation rates, the widely spread geography of the event, and a reduced ability to depend on 9-1-1 emergency medical services, there was minimal impact on local emergency services. Adequate planning and preparation is crucial for events that have the potential to degrade existing public resources and access to emergency health services for participants and the public at large.

Type
Original Research
Copyright
Copyright Gutman © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2011

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Arbon, P: Mass-gathering medicine: A review of the evidence and future directions for research. Prehosp Disaster Med 2007; 131135.Google Scholar
Arquilla, B, Paladino, L, Reich, C, Brandler, E, Lucchesi, M, Shetty, S: Using a joint triage model for multi-hospital response to a mass casualty incident in New York city. J Emerg Trauma Shock 2009; 114116.Google ScholarPubMed
Delaney, JS, Drummond, R: Mass casualties and triage at a sporting event. Br J Sports Med 2002;36:8588.Google Scholar
Milsten, AM, Maguire, BJ, Billell, RA, Seaman, KG: Mass-gathering medical care: A review of the literature. Prehosp Disaster Med 2002; 17(3):151162.Google Scholar
Rubin, CB, Renda-Tanali, I: Effects of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, on federal emergency management in the U.S. Journal of the American Society of Professional Emergency Planners 2002; 1(1):118.Google Scholar
Grange, JT, Baumann, GW, Vaezazizi, R: On-site physicians reduce ambulance transports at mass gatherings. Prehosp Emerg Care 2003;7:322326.Google ScholarPubMed
Thierbach, AR, Wolcke, BB, Peipho, T, Maybauer, M, Huth, R: Medical support for children's mass gatherings. Prehosp Disaster Med 2003; 18(1):1419.Google Scholar
World Police and Fire Games. Official Registration Book. Available at http://www.2009wpfg.ca/content/expression/WPFG_registration_book.pdf. Accessed 02 December 2009.Google Scholar
Hodgetts, TJ, Cooke, MW: The largest mass gathering. BMJ 1999;318:957958.Google Scholar
Arbon, P, Bridgewater, FHG, Smith, C: Mass gathering medicine: A predictive model for patient presentation and transport rates. Prehosp Disaster Med 2001; 16(3):109116.Google Scholar
Hewitt, S, Jarrett, L, Winter, B: Emergency medicine at a large rock festival. J Accid Emerg Med 1996;13:2627.Google Scholar
Milsten, AM: From start to finish: Physician usefulness at mass gathering event. American College of Emergency Physicians 2003:12.Google Scholar
Saunders, AB, Criss, E, Steckl, P, Meislin, HW, Raife, J, Allen, D: An analysis of medical care at mass gatherings. Ann Emerg Med 1986; 15(5):515519.Google Scholar
Zeitz, K, Bolton, S, Dippy, R, Dowling, Y, Francis, L, Thorne, J, Butler, T, Zeitz, C: Measuring emergency services workloads at mass gathering events. The Australian Journal of Emergency Management 2007:147.Google Scholar
Zeitz, K, Bolton, S, Dippy, R, Dowling, Y, Francis, L, Thorne, J, Butler, T, Zeitz, C: Measuring emergency services workloads at mass gathering events. The Australian Journal of Emergency Management 2007; 23(3):2330.Google Scholar
Zeitz, K, Zeitz, C, Kadow-Griffen, C: Injury occurrences at a mass gathering event. Journal of Emergency Primary Health Care 2005; 3(1):110.Google Scholar
Arbon, P: The development of conceptual models for mass-gathering health. Prehosp Disaster Med 2004; 19(3):208212.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Zeitz, KM, Schneider, DPA, Jarrett, D, Zeitz, CJ: Mass gathering events: Retrospective analysis of patient presentations over seven years at an agricultural and horticultural show. Prehosp Disaster Med 2002; 17(3):147150.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ouanian, LL, Salinas, C, Shear, CL, Rodney, WM: Medical care at the 1982 US Festival. Ann Emerg Med 1986; 15(5):520527.Google Scholar
Feldman, MJ, Lukins, JL, Verbeek, PR, Burgess, RJ, Schwartz, B: Use of treat-and-release medical directives for paramedics at mass gatherings. Prehosp Emerg Care 2004; 9(2):213217.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Enock, KE, Jocobs, J: The Olympic and Paralympic Games 2012: Literature review of the logistical planning and operational challenges for public health. Public Health 2008; 122(11):1299–1238.Google Scholar
Sloan, B, Somerville, G, Olinger, M, Billows, G, Brokaw, D: Injury incidence during the 2001 World Police and Fire Games. American Journal of Emergency Medicine 2004; 22(2):129130.Google Scholar
Perdomo, RVP, Rivera, CAM, Becerra, AMM, Rodriguez, RAS, Frontera, WR, Martin, Eet al: Public health surveillance during the XVII Central American and Caribbean Games—Puerto Rico, November 1993. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 1996; 45(27):581584.Google Scholar
Hnatow, DA, Gordon, DJ: Medical planning for mass gatherings: A retrospective review of the San Antonio papal mass. Prehosp Disaster Med 1991; 6(4):443450.Google Scholar
Provision of Emergency Medical Care for Crowds. Available at http://www.acep.org/workarea/downloadasset.aspx?id=4846. Accessed 19 December 2009.Google Scholar
Mass Participation Event Management for the Team Physician: A Consensus Statement (Summary). Available at http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/clinical/publichealth/sportsmed/masspart.html. Accessed 19 December 2009.Google Scholar
Environment Canada Historical Weather Data. Available at http://www.climate.weatheroffice.gc.ca/climateData. Accessed 28 May 2010.Google Scholar