Physician integration into mass gathering medical care. The United States Air Show.
BACKGROUND
Limited information exists concerning physician staffing at mass gathering events.


METHODS
A retrospective review of the preparation, planning, and provision of medical care for the United States Air Show was performed. Patient encounters from the air show for the years 1981-1991 also were evaluated.


RESULTS
The frequency rate of overall encounters was 8.45 patients/10,000 spectators and hospital transport rate was 0.6/10,000 spectators. The majority of complaints were related to heat or minor injuries. During this period, emergency physicians played a vital role in both medical planning and on-site staffing. Emergency medicine residents also participated. A small patient population received direct benefit from on-site physician intervention.


CONCLUSIONS
The on-site emergency physician is of benefit in event preplanning and reducing the burden on the EMS system during mass gathering events.
Boyle
M F
MF
Wright State University School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Dayton, Ohio, USA.
De Lorenzo
R A
RA
Garrison
R
R
D001359:Aviation; D004189:Disaster Planning; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D010819:Physician's Role; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies