Emergency medical assistance during a mass gathering.
European Journal of Emergency Medicine · 1999-09-01 · Observational study
Abstract
The Thunderdome-party was a mass gathering of 14000 young people. Many of them were under influence of drugs (amphetamine and ecstasy (MDMA)). The organization of on-site emergency medical assistance was essential in order to avoid overload at the local emergency department and to avoid a disequilibrium of the local emergency medical system, the 'call 100' system in Belgium. The benefit of a prehospital medical team at the event is illustrated by the description of the population treated on-site. Toxicological screening of blood and urine was not necessary to safely treat drug intoxication during the Thunderdome-party.