91 An Analysis of Four Years of Experience at the Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas

Abstract

The Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) is an electronic music festival that takes place in several cities. The location with the largest number of attendees is Las Vegas, where EDC is a three-day event. The objective of this study was to present guidelines for medical care for similar large music festivals based upon data from four years of experience at EDC in Las Vegas. This was a retrospective chart review of patients who presented to the medical area at EDC in Las Vegas. Chart review was performed by trained research assistants using standard data abstraction forms. Abstracted data included patient age, vital signs, Glasgow Coma Scale, chief complaint, medications administered, and disposition. Data regarding preparation and staffing for the event was provided by the medical leadership for the event. This information was used to develop comprehensive guidelines for medical care at large music festivals. Over the four years of study period, EDC was attended by an average of approximately 104,000 people per night. There were a total of 2673 patient visits to the medical area during this period. The median age of the patients was 22 years (maximum 72 years). The most common reasons for presentation to the medical area were alcohol or drug intoxication (42% of visits), dehydration/dizziness (19%) or trauma (17% of visits). Only 103 of the 2673 patient visits (3.9%) resulted in patient transport to a hospital. The most commonly administered medication was normal saline. In total,1318 patients (49%) received at least one liter of normal saline, and in sum, 2108 liters were administered. The medical area consists of three zones, and resembles an emergency department. In 2015, there were four beds and 20 chairs in a “fast track” area. The primary treatment area contained 56 beds. The “infield care center,” which is reserved for sicker patients, had an additional four beds. Over the three-day event, the medical tent is open for 48 hours, and is always covered by an attending emergency physician. In 2015, 17 nurses were utilized per day, and a total of a total of 324 hours were worked by physicians and physician assistants familiar with acute care. To manage the most common presenting issues, benzodiazepines, large quantities of IV start kits, large volumes of normal saline, and laceration trays are available to medical staff. To stabilize critically ill patients, rapid sequence intubation drugs and advanced airway equipment are available. No imaging studies are available. The EDC medical area in Las Vegas receives a high volume of patients who primarily present for intoxication, dehydration, or trauma. Through meticulous planning and staffing, the EDC medical team has been able to safely treat more than 96% of the patients presenting to their medical area without need for transfer. This study may help others who are planning the medical care for a large music festivals.