Correlation of weather and patient volume at mass gathering event

Abstract

This paper addresses the relationship between temperature or relative humidity and the number of patients seen and how often the treating physician deemed it necessary to transport the patient to the hospital. A retrospective review was performed on 251 patients seen at the Dayton airshow during the 2‐day period of 21‐22 July 2001. The air show has an attendance of approximately 50,000 people spread out through this 3‐day event. The first aid tents that provide the medical care at the air show are staffed by either senior emergency medicine residents or emergency medicine attendings. Results showed that the relationship between the number of patients transported and the temperature reveals a pattern of more patients being transported as the temperature increases.