Mass-gathering Events: The Role of Advanced Nurse Practitioners in Reducing Referrals to Local Health Care Agencies

Abstract

Appropriately trained and experienced ANPs working within event medical teams have a positive impact on referral rates from mass-gathering events.

Preparedness for Mass Gatherings: Factors to Consider According to the Rescue Authorities

“…According to our results, multi-authority collaboration in the pre-event planning phase manifests, for example, as consultation of an EMS specialist regarding the planned attendee numbers, and the competence of the on-site medical care provided in the emergency plan. Previous studies showed that having medical professionals available among the first-aid providers and the use of treat-and-release directives have an impact on the need for transport to hospital, and in turn affect the workload for the EMS system and healthcare facilities [15,16,18,21,23]. According to an Australian study by Zeitz et al [8], the increase in workload for the rescue service in mass gatherings with a total of 5.7 million attendees in a two-year period, was only minor.…”

“…Sufficient first-aid capability and the quality of security emerged from the results along with other needed services, such as taking care of water supply. Previous studies indicated that on-site medical staff should include health professionals along with first-aid providers [15,18,19,23,40]. According to Locoh-Donou et al [26], absence of free drinking water is strongly associated with patient presentations.…”

“…Different factors were shown to have an impact on the need of transport to hospital, the number of patients, and the injury patterns. These include weather [13,14], the level of the on-site medical care [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23], audience profile [24], event type [25][26][27], duration [28], and geographical location [29]. Alcohol and drug use, attendance, and the age and mood of the crowd can also have an effect on the level and the need of medical response [28].…”

Risks threatening the health of people participating in mass gatherings: A systematic review

“…In this study, the risks due to lack of support on resources and inefficiency of gatherings’ safety recognized in this domain were reported as Lack or shortage of patient care workers such as Physicians or Paramedics;[181926313336] flow directions;[20] risk assessment;[20] communication;[20] pre-event advice;[23] a plan for vaccination before gatherings;[2526] coordination;[26] free water as well as terrorist attacks; difficult access to water and food;[28] difficult access to medical facilities;[262732] and duration of MG.[38]…”

“…In the present study, environmental risks threatening the health of participants in MGs included weather risks such as cold, environmental heat,[1215161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142] precipitation,[12] higher humidity,[121520313842] long distance of gatherings and austere environment,[18] mobility of population,[3142] gatherings in outside (external) and unbounded venues,[32] MGs exposed to traffic accidents,[19] the participants’ number and crowd density,[15182028293139] insect bites, and sunburns. [40]…”