Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-t7czq Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-24T15:36:53.730Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Diagnosis According to Time of Arrival at “The Great New York State Fair”

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 January 2014

Katherine Nacca*
Affiliation:
Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York USA
Jay Scott
Affiliation:
Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York USA
William Grant
Affiliation:
Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York USA
*
Correspondence: Katherine Nacca, MD 400 Brattle Rd. Syracuse, NY 13203 USA E-mail [email protected]

Abstract

Objective

To study the diagnoses of patients presenting to a medical facility within a mass-gathering public event, “The Great New York State Fair” (NYSF) based on chief complaints, diagnoses, and time of arrival. The goal of the study was to assess the need for increased staffing, services, or supplies during certain times of day for an event that gathers approximately 1 million patrons over a 12-day span. Patrons occupy the grounds between the hours of 10 am and 11 pm, while workers and staff are on the grounds around the clock.

Method

Triage data gathered by trained medical students was collected from all of the patients seen during the 2009 NYSF from 12 am to 11:59 pm. Triage information was categorized based on the nature of complaint, physician impression, and time of arrival to assess for trends in the distribution of common chief complaints and diagnoses at a mass-gathering medical care facility.

Results

The early hours of the NYSF were occupied mostly with treatment of minor first aid complaints, while later hours were occupied more commonly by orthopedic complaints. Insect stings were the most frequent complaint throughout the day.

Conclusion

Daytime and evening hours at the fair have a significant number of orthopedic diagnoses and may benefit from specific staff and equipment sufficient to handle these complaints. Stings and minor first aid injuries are also significant and may benefit from adequate stocking of the infirmary for such events. Major medical complaints, including cardiac and neurological complaints, did occur but were a minor part of the total patient population.

NaccaK , ScottJ , GrantW . Diagnosis According to Time of Arrival at “The Great New York State Fair”Prehosp Disaster Med. 2014;29(1):1-3.

Type
Original Research
Copyright
Copyright © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2014 

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

1. Eisenstadt, PR, Moss, LE, eds. The Encyclopedia of New York State. Syracuse, New York, USA: Syracuse University Press; 2005. Web. <http://www.syracuseuniversitypress.syr.edu/encyclopedia/entries/new-york-state-fair.html. Accessed May 14, 2010.Google Scholar
2. Shah, W. Mass gathering medical care: to calculate the Medical Usage Rate of Galway Races. Am J Disaster Med. 2010;5(1):61-64.Google Scholar
3. Milsten, AM, Seaman, KG, Liu, P, et al. Variables influencing medical usage rates, injury patterns, and levels of care for mass gatherings. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2003;18(4):334-346.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed