Hostname: page-component-7479d7b7d-fwgfc Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-12T18:20:25.255Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Care of Children at a Large Outdoor Music Festival in the United Kingdom

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 June 2012

Carl P. McQueen
Carl P. McQueen*
Affiliation:
Specialty Training Registar East Midlands Workforce Deanery, UK
*
49 Sylvan Avenue, Kirkby in Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, United KingdomNG17 8RG, E-mail: carl_mcqueen@hotmail.com
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Introduction:

Limited data exist on the standard of care provided for children at mass gatherings and special events (MGSE). Some studies provide valuable insight into the proportion of pediatric patients that can be expected at various types of MGSEs, but an accurate breakdown of the range of pediatric conditions treated at major events has yet to be produced. Such data are essential for the preparation of MGSEs so that the health and safety of children at such events can be adequately safeguarded. The aim of this study is to examine the care requirements for children at a large, outdoor music festival in the United Kingdom.

Methods:

A retrospective review of all patient report forms (PRFs) from a large, outdoor music festival held in Leeds (UK) in 2003. Data were extracted from the PRFs using a standardized proforma and analyzed using an Excel computer program.

Results:

Pediatric cases contributed approximately 15% to the overall workload at the event. Children presented with a range of conditions that varied from those seen in the adult population. Children were more likely than adults to present for medical attention following crush injuries (OR = 2.536; 95% CI = 1.537–4.187); after a collapse/syncopal episode (OR = 2.687; 95% CI = 1.442–5.007); or complaining of nausea (OR = 3.484; 95% CI = 2.089–5.813). Alcohol/drugs were less likely to be involved in the precipitating cause for medical attention in children compared to adults (OR = 0.477; 95% CI = 0.250–0.912). No critical care incidents involving children were encountered during the event.

Conclusions:

Mass gatherings and special events in the UK, such as outdoor music festivals, can involve a large number of children who access medical care for a different range of conditions compared to adults. The care of children at large, outdoor music events should not be overlooked. Event planning in the UK should include measures to ensure that appropriately trained and equipped medical teams are used at music festivals to safeguard the welfare of children who may attend. Further research into this exciting area is required.

Keywords

childrenmass gatheringsmusic festivalsplanningpreparednessUnited Kingdom
Type
Original Research
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 25 , Issue 3 , June 2010 , pp. 223 - 226
Copyright
Copyright © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2010

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.Sanders, A, Criss, E, Steckl, P, Meislin, H, Raife, J, Allen, D: Ananalysis of medical care at mass gatherings. Ann Emerg Med 1986;15:515–519.Google Scholar
2.De Lorenzo, RA, Boyle, MF, Garrison, R: A proposed model for a residency experience in mass gathering medicine: The United States air show. Ann Emerg Med 1993;22(11):1711–1714.Google Scholar
3.Martin-Gill, C, Brady, WJ, Barlotta, K, Yoder, A, Williamson, A, Sojka, B, Haugh, D, Martin, ML, Sidebottom, M, Sandridge, L: Hospital-based health-care provider (nurse and physician) integration into an emergency medical services-managed mass-gathering event. Am J Emerg Med 2007;25(1):15–22.Google Scholar
4.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.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
5.Michael, JA, Barbera, JA: Mass gathering medical care: A twenty-five year review. Prehosp Disaster Med 1997;12(4):305–312.Google Scholar
6.Grange, JT: Planning for large events. Curr Sports Med Rep 2002;1(3):156–161.Google Scholar
7.Arbon, P: Mass-gathering medicine: A review of the evidence and future directions for research. Prehosp Disaster Med 2007;22(2):131–135.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
8.Flabouris, A, Bridgewater, F: An analysis of demand for first-aid care at a major public event. Prehosp Disaster Med 1996;11:48–54.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
9.Spaite, D, Criss, E, Valenzuela, T, Meislin, H, Smith, R, Nelson, A: A new model for providing prehospital medical care in large stadiums. Ann Emerg Med 1988;17:825–828.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
10.DeBenedette, V: Medical coverage of sports events: The fans need attention, too. Physician Sports Med 1988;16:195–200.Google Scholar
11.Hnatow, D, Gordon, D: Medical planning for mass gatherings: A retrospective review of the San Antonio papal mass. Prehosp Disaster Med 1991;6:443–450.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
12.Varon, J, Fromm, RE, Chanin, K, Filbin, M, Vutpakdi, K: Critical illness at mass gatherings is uncommon. J Emerg Med 2003;25(4):463.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed