Mass gathering medicine

Mass Gathering Medicine is a field of medicine which deals with health effects/risks of mass gatherings,Arbon P: Mass gathering medicine: A review of the evidence and future directions for research. Prehosp Didast Med 2007;22(2):131-135 that generate a higher incidence of injury and illness, may be the subject to a catastrophic accident or attack with large numbers of injured or dead persons.Franaszek J:Medical care at mass gatherings. Ann Emerg Med 1986;15:60-61 Thompson JM et al.:Level of medical care required for mass gatherings: The XV Winter Olympic Games in Calgary, Canada. Ann Emerg Med 1991;20(4):385-390

Such factors as the weather, duration of the event, movement of the crowd, containment of the event (fenced/contained or not), availability of alcohol/drugs, the density of the crowd et al., possibility for spreading of communicable diseases all influence the health care at mass gatherings.Milsten AM et al.:Mass gathering medical care: A review of the literature. Prehosp Disast Med 2002;17(3):151-162

Purposes of Mass Gathering Medical  Services at an eventDe Lorenzo  RA:Mass gathering medicine: A review. Prehosp Disast Med 1997;12(1):68-72 are: rapid access to the injured or ill patients, effective stabilizing and transporting injured or ill patients, on-site care for minor injuries and illnesses. Mass gathering medicine support requires planning.http://sis.nlm.nih.gov/enviro/massgatherings.html  Public Health Preparedness for Mass Gatherings

The World Health Organization supports Member States hosting mass gatherings.

References

Category:Emergency medicine