Use of Medical Supplies at the Roskilde Festival 2016: A Prospective Observational Study.

INTRODUCTION: Music festivals are popular events often including camping at the festival site. A mix of music, alcohol, drugs, and limited hygiene increases health risks. This study aimed to assess the use of medical supplies at a major music festival, thereby aiding planning at similar events in the future. METHOD: The Medical Health Care Organization (MHCO) at Roskilde Festival 2016 (Denmark) collected prospective data on disposable medical supply use and injuries and illnesses presenting to the MHCO. RESULTS: A total of 12,830 patient presentations were registered by the MHCO and a total of 104 different types of disposable medical supplies were used by the MHCO from June 25, 2016 through July 3, 2016. Out of 12,830 cases, 594 individuals (4.6%) had a potential or manifest medical emergency, 6,670 (52.0%) presented with minor injuries, and 5,566 (43.4%) presented with minor illnesses. The overall patient presentation rate (PPR) was 99.0/1,000 attendees and the transport-to-hospital rate (TTHR) was 2.1/1,000 attendees. For medical emergencies, the most frequently used supplies were aluminum rescue blankets (n = 627), non-rebreather masks (n = 121), and suction catheters for an automatic suction unit (ASU) for airway management (n = 83). Most used diagnostic equipment were blood glucose test strips (n = 1,155), electrocardiogram electrodes (n = 960), and urinary test strips (n = 400). The most frequently used personal protection equipment were non-sterile gloves (n = 1,185 pairs) and sterile gloves (n = 189). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates a substantial use of disposable medical supplies at a major music festival. The results provide aid for planning similar mass-gathering (MG) events.

Use of Medication at the Roskilde (Denmark) Music Festival 2015 - A Prospective Observational Study of 15,133 Treated Attendees.

BACKGROUND: Outdoor music festivals (OMFs) attract large numbers of guests and benefit from the help of large numbers of volunteers. Studies have previously described the injury patterns at OMFs, but no studies have described the use of medication and sales from on-site pharmacies at a large OMF. METHOD: The usage of medication and prescriptions in the Medical Health Care Organization (MHCO), including sales from the on-site pharmacy, at the Roskilde (Denmark) Festival 2015 were prospectively recorded. RESULTS: In excess of 130,000 attendees (guests and volunteers) participated in the Roskilde Festival 2015. The number of attendees contacting the MHCO was 15,133, of which 3,723 (25%) had a consultation with a doctor. Of all attendees evaluated by a doctor, 669 attendees received some form of medication in relation to the consultation. The MHCO administered and/or handed out a total of 6,494 units of prescription and over-the-counter medication, of which analgesics represented nearly 51%. Asthma was the condition with the highest proportion of attendees requiring pharmaceutical treatment, as 28 out of 48 (58%) received medication during the consultation. Sixty-five attendees received both medicine and a prescription. The MHCO handed out 562 prescriptions. In total, 609 prescriptions were redeemed at the on-site pharmacy. Antibiotics represented more than 78% of all redeemed prescriptions at the on-site pharmacy. CONCLUSION: The most utilized medications were analgesics and antibiotics. The data indicate a need for on-site prophylaxis using tetanus toxoid in combination with diphtheria toxoid vaccine and an on-site pharmacy. The content of the formulary at a mass-gathering event should be based on: evacuation time by ambulance/helicopter to hospitals with the level of competence needed; types of conditions to be treated on-site; level of competencies of festival medical staff; expected incidence and type of illness and injuries; and treatment of acute, life-threatening illnesses and or injuries.

National survey of emergency departments in Denmark.

OBJECTIVES: Emergency departments (EDs) are the basic unit of emergency medicine, but often differ in fundamental features. We sought to describe and characterize EDs in Denmark. METHODS: All EDs open 24/7 to the general public were surveyed using the National ED Inventories survey instrument (http://www.emnet-nedi.org). ED staff were asked about ED characteristics with reference to the calendar year 2008. RESULTS: Twenty-eight EDs participated (82% response). All were located in hospitals. Less than half [43%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 24-63%] were independent departments. Thirty-nine percent (95% CI 22-59%) had a contiguous layout, with medical and surgical care provided in one area. The vast majority of EDs saw both adults and children; only 10% saw adults only and none saw children only. The median number of annual visits was 32 000 (interquartile range, 14 700-47 000). The majority (68%, 95% CI 47-89%) believed that their ED was at good balance or capacity, with 22% responding that they were under capacity and 9% reporting overcapacity. Technological resources were generally available, with the exception of dedicated computed tomography scanners and negative-pressure rooms. Almost all common emergencies were identified as being treatable 24/7 in the EDs. CONCLUSION: Although there is some variation in their layout and characteristics, most Danish EDs have a high degree of resource availability and are able to treat common emergencies. As Denmark seeks to reform emergency care through ED consolidation, this national survey helps to establish a benchmark for future comparisons.

[Documentation of in-hospital cardiac arrest]. / Dokumentation af hjertestop på hospital.

INTRODUCTION: Documentation of and staff compliance with guidelines during in-hospital cardiac arrest are very important. The purpose of the study is to clarify to what extent treatment of cardiac arrest was documented and whether the staff followed the hospital's protocol for cardiac arrest treatment in 2005. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Medical records for 50 consecutive in-hospital cardiac arrests in 2005 were analysed and compared to 50 consecutive cardiac arrests in 2001. The hospital is a tertiary referral hospital with 1100 beds and all medical specialities available. INCLUSION CRITERIA: All in-hospital cardiac arrest calls. Essential data for the in-hospital Utstein-style was used as the golden standard for documentation when reviewing medical records. RESULTS: Results are expressed for 2005 (2001), Test: chi2 (Fisher). Treatment documented: Fully: 32 (22). (P=0.0704). Treatment complying with guidelines: Yes: 28. (P=0.0001). CONCLUSION: The percentage of hospital staff following the guidelines for cardiac arrest has improved significantly. The documentation of cardiac arrest as given in the medical records has not improved significantly. The reason is that the lack of data concerning the dosage of medication and/or dosage/number of shocks delivered is missing for about 1/3 of the cases.