RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Medical facilities and encounters at the 2010 vancouver winter olympic games
JF British Journal of Sports Medicine
JO Br J Sports Med
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Association of Sport and Exercise Medicine
SP 376
OP 376
DO 10.1136/bjsm.2011.084038.186
VO 45
IS 4
A1 J Taunton
A1 P Schamasch
A1 M Wilkinson
A1 P Renstrom
A1 L Engebretsen
A1 R Celebrini
A1 R Stewart
A1 T Sasyniuk
YR 2011
UL http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/45/4/376.1.abstract
AB Background Epidemiological data and logistical details are crucial pieces of information for organisers of medical care at mass sporting events. Objective To outline the medical facilities at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games and to report the epidemiology of medical encounters. Design Prospective descriptive study. Setting Nine competition venues, six non-competition venues and two Polyclinics (Vancouver and Whistler). Medical services were available at all venues. The Polyclinics housed an inter-disciplinary team of health-care professionals. Imaging modalities (including CT and MRI) were on-site at the Polyclinics. Participants 2567 athletes, 82 National Olympic Committees, an estimated 4000 Officials, 25 000 Workforce/Volunteers, 10 000 Performers and 10 000 Media. Medical Services included 1560 volunteers and 19 full-time staff. Assessment Medical encounters were entered into a Medical Encounter Database (ATOS Origin). Games-Time reporting period was February 4th to 28th, inclusive. Computers were located at each Venue. Main outcome measure Medical encounters. Results There were 9038 medical encounters (8198 accredited; 840 spectator). The busiest venues were the Whistler Polyclinic (n=3124) and Vancouver Polyclinic (n=2930). Of the competition venues, the busiest were Whistler Sliding Centre (bobsleigh/luge/skeleton), Canada Hockey Place and Pacific Coliseum (figure skating and short track speed skating). Venues with the greatest number of spectator medical encounters were Canada Hockey Place (n=186), B.C. Place Stadium (Opening/Closing Ceremonies) (n=128) and UBC Sports Centre (hockey) (n=90). Sports with the highest and lowest athlete medical encounters were Alpine Skiing and Nordic Combined, respectively. The majority of encounters were musculoskeletal (MSK) (n=29%). There were 131 ground ambulance transfers and seven air ambulance extractions/transfers resulting in 14 hospital admissions and 43 outpatient visits. Conclusion The majority of medical encounters were seen at the Polyclinics. Although most were MSK, there was a high demand for other disciplines such as Dental and Imaging. Multi-disciplinary Polyclinics equipped with primary and ancillary services are essential at future Games.