Citation

Friedman NMG, O'Connor EK, Munro T, Goroff D. Prehosp. Disaster Med. 2018; ePub(ePub): 1-6.

Affiliation

1Skidmore College Emergency Medical Services,Skidmore College,Saratoga Springs,New YorkUSA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Cambridge University Press)

DOI

10.1017/S1049023X18001103

PMID

30585146

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There is insufficient research on medical care at mass-gathering events (MGEs) on college and university campuses. Fun Day is an annual celebratory day held at Skidmore College (Saratoga Springs, New York USA), a small liberal arts college in the Northeastern United States. Fun Day is focused around an outdoor music festival; students also congregate and celebrate throughout the surrounding campus. To improve care and alleviate strain on local resources, a model was developed for the provision of emergency care by a collegiate-based, volunteer first-response service - Skidmore College Emergency Medical Services (EMS) - in coordination with a contracted, private ambulance service.Study/ObjectiveThe aims of this study were to: (1) analyze medical usage rates and case mixes at Fun Day over a four-year period, and to (2) describe the collegiate-based first response model for MGEs.

METHODS: Data were collected retrospectively from event staff, college administrators, and Skidmore College EMS on event-related variables, patient encounters, and medical operations at Fun Day over a four-year period (2014-2017).

RESULTS: Annual attendance at the music festival was estimated at 2,000 individuals. Over four years, 54 patients received emergency medical care on campus on Fun Day, and 18 (33.3%) were transported to the emergency department. On-site contracted ambulances transported 77.8% of patients who were transported to the emergency department; mutual aid was requested for the other 22.2% of transports. The mean (SD) patient presentation rate (PPR) was 7.0 (SD = 1.0) per 1,000 attendees. The mean (SD) transport-to-hospital rate (TTHR) was 2.0 (SD = 1.0) per 1,000 attendees. Thirty (55.6%) patients presented with intoxication, seven (13.0%) with laceration(s), and five (9.3%) with head trauma as the primary concern. Medical command was established by volunteer undergraduate students. Up to 16 volunteer student first responders (including emergency medical technicians [EMTs]) were stationed on campus, in addition to two contracted ambulances at the Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Life Support (ALS) levels. Operational strategies included: mobile first response crews, redundant communication systems, preventative education, and harm reduction.

CONCLUSION: High medical usage rates were observed, primarily due to alcohol/illicit substance use and traumatic injuries. The provision of emergency care by a collegiate-based first response service in coordination with a contracted, private ambulance agency serves as an innovative model for mass-gathering medical care on college and university campuses.Friedman NMG, O'Connor EK, Munro T, Goroff D. Mass-gathering medical care provided by a collegiate-based first response service at an annual college music festival and campus-wide celebration.

Language: en

Keywords

ALS Advanced Life Support; BLS Basic Life Support; CBEMS collegiate/campus-based Emergency Medical Services; EMS Emergency Medical Services; EMT emergency medical technician; FC Field Commander; MARR mutual aid request rate; MC Medical Commander; MGE mass-gathering event; PPR patient presentation rate; TTHR transport-to-hospital rate; Emergency Medical Services; alcohol drinking; music; street drugs; students