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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 ,
Adam Lund  and
Sheila A. Turris
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
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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.

Keywords

crowdsmass gatheringmass participationmedical supportprehospital and disaster medicinespecial event medicinesporting events
Type
Original Research
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 26 , Issue 1 , February 2011 , pp. 33 - 40
Copyright
Copyright Gutman © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2011

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