Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-ndw9j Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-10T05:58:30.873Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Medical Support at a Large-scale Motorsports Mass-gathering Event: The Inaugural Formula One United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 July 2014

John P. Sabra ,
José G. Cabañas ,
John Bedolla ,
Shirley Borgmann ,
James Hawley ,
Kevin Craven ,
Carlos Brown ,
Chris Ziebell  and
Steve Olvey
John P. Sabra*
Affiliation:
Department of Surgery, University Medical Center Brackenridge, Austin, Texas USA Circuit of Americas, Austin, Texas USA
José G. Cabañas
Affiliation:
Austin-Travis County EMS System, Austin, Texas USA Department of Emergency Medicine, University Medical Center Brackenridge, Austin, Texas USA
John Bedolla
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medicine, University Medical Center Brackenridge, Austin, Texas USA
Shirley Borgmann
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medicine, University Medical Center Brackenridge, Austin, Texas USA
James Hawley
Affiliation:
Austin-Travis County EMS System, Austin, Texas USA
Kevin Craven
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medicine, University Medical Center Brackenridge, Austin, Texas USA
Carlos Brown
Affiliation:
Department of Surgery, University Medical Center Brackenridge, Austin, Texas USA Department of Emergency Medicine, University Medical Center Brackenridge, Austin, Texas USA
Chris Ziebell
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medicine, University Medical Center Brackenridge, Austin, Texas USA
Steve Olvey
Affiliation:
Circuit of Americas, Austin, Texas USA
*
Correspondence: John P. Sabra, MD Department of Surgery University Medical Center at Brackenridge 1400 N. IH 35, Suite 300 Austin, Texas 78701 USA E-mail JPSabra@seton.org
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Introduction

Formula One returned to the United States on November 16-18, 2012, with the inaugural United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas. Medical preparedness for motorsports events represents a unique challenge due to the potential for a high number of spectators seeking medical attention, and the possibility for a mass-casualty situation. Adequate preparation requires close collaboration across public safety agencies and hospital networks to minimize impact on Emergency Medical Services (EMS) resources.

Hypothesis/Problem

To report the details of preparation for an inaugural mass-gathering motorsports event, and to describe the details of the medical care rendered during the 3-day event.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was completed utilizing postevent summaries, provided by the medical planning committee, by the Federation Internationale de L'Automobile (FIA), and Austin Travis County Emergency Medical Services (ATCEMS). Patient data were collected from standardized patient care records for descriptive analysis. Medical usage rates (MURs) are reported as a rate of patients per 10,000 (PPTT) participants.

Results

A total of 566 patients received medical care over the 3-day period with the on-site care rate of 95%. Overall, MUR was 21.3 PPTT attendees. Most patients had minor problems, and there were no driver injuries or deaths.

Conclusion

This mass-gathering motorsport event had a moderate number of patients requiring medical attention. The preparedness plan was implemented successfully with minimal impact on EMS resources and local medical facilities. This medical preparedness plan may serve as a model to other cities preparing for an inaugural motorsports event.

SabraJP , CabañasJG , BedollaJ , BorgmannS , HawleyJ , CravenK , BrownC , ZiebellC , OlveyS . Medical Support at a Large-scale Motorsports Mass-gathering Event: The Inaugural Formula One United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2014;29(4):1-7.

Keywords

event medicinemass gatheringmotorsportspreparedness
Type
Original Research
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 29 , Issue 4 , August 2014 , pp. 392 - 398
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. Jaslow, D, Yancy, A, Milsten, A. Mass gathering medical care: national association of EMS physicians’ standards and clinical practice committee. Prehosp Emerg Care. 2000;4(4):359-360.Google Scholar
2. Arbon, P. Mass-gathering medicine: a review of the evidence and future directions for research. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2007;22(2):131-135.Google Scholar
3. Bock, HC, Cordell, WH, Hawk, AC, Bowdish, GE. Demographics of emergency medical care at the Indianapolis 500 mile race (1983-1990). Ann Emerg Med. 1992;21(10):1204-1207.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
4. Bowdish, GE, Cordell, WH, Bock, HC, Vukov, LF. Using regression analysis to predict emergency patient volume at the Indianapolis 500 mile race. Ann Emerg Med. 1992;21(10):1200-1203.Google Scholar
5. Steele, AG. Emergency medical care for open wheel racing events at Indianapolis Raceway Park. Ann Emerg Med. 1994;24(2):264-268.Google Scholar
6. Grange, JT, Cotton, A. Motorsports medicine. Current Sports Medicine Reports. 2004;3:134-140.Google Scholar
7. Nardi, R, Bettini, M, Bozzoli, C, et al. Emergency medical services in mass gatherings: the experience of the Formula 1 Grand Prix ‘San Marino’ in Imola. Eur J Emerg Med. 1997;4(4):217-223.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
8. Chesser, TJS, Norton, SA, Nolan, JP, Baskett, PJF. What are the Requirements for medical cover at motor racing circuits? Injury. 1999;30(4):293-297.Google Scholar
9. City of Austin Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, After Action Report, Formula One EOC as Area Command. November 16-18, 2012.Google Scholar
10. Federation Internationale de L'Automobile, Activities Report by the Medical Delegates for 2012. Version 21.12.2012.Google Scholar
11. Hawkins, ER, Brice, JH. Fire jumpers: description of burns and traumatic injuries from a spontaneous mass gathering and celebratory riot. J Emerg Med. 2010;38(2):182-187.Google Scholar
12. Milsten, AM, Maguire, BJ, Bissell, RA, Seaman, KG. Mass-gathering medical care: a review of the literature. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2002;17(3):151-162.Google Scholar
13. Federation Internationale de L'Automobile, Appendix H to the International Sporting Code. August 2007.Google Scholar
14. Locoh-Donou, S, Guofen, Y, Welcher, M, Berry, T, O'Connor, RE, Brady, WJ. Mass-gathering medicine: a descriptive analysis of a range of mass-gathering event types. Am J Emerg Med. 2013;31(5):843-846.Google Scholar
15. Martin-Gill, C, Brady, WJ, Barlotta, K, et al. Hospital-based healthcare provider (nurse and physician) integration into an emergency medical services-managed mass-gathering event. Am J Emerg Med. 2007;25(1):15-22.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
16. Sanders, AB, Criss, E, Steckl, P, et al. An analysis of medical care at mass gatherings. Ann Emerg Med. 1986;15(5):515-519.Google Scholar
17. Franaszek, J. Medical care at mass gatherings. Ann Emerg Med. 1986;15(5):600-601.Google Scholar
18. Arbon, P, Bridgewater, FH, Smith, C. Mass gathering medicine: a predictive model for patient presentation and transport rates. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2001;16(3):150-158.Google Scholar
19. DeLorenzo, RA, Gray, BC, Bennett, PC, et al. Effect of crowd size on patient volume at a large multipurpose indoor stadium. J Emerg Med. 1989;7(4):379-384.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
20. Moore, R, Williamson, K, Sochor, M, Brady, WJ. Large-event medicine–event characteristics impacting medical need. Am J Emerg Med. 2011;29(9):1217-1221.Google Scholar
21. Diehl, AK, Morris, MD, Mannis, SA. Use of calendar and weather data to predict walk-in attendance. South Med J. 1981;74(6):709-712.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed