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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
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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 

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