Since the time of the Romans, people have been gathering in great crowds to witness the thrill of competition. And while there is an expectation that a gladiator may be seriously injured, it is not expected for the fans to be at risk. However sporting events represent significant risk to the fans as well. The most recently published data indicate that the average NFL stadium can expect between 1 and 4 cases of cardiac arrest in a fan during a game each season. On a per person basis, it is safer on the field than off. For this reason, the specialty of Event Medicine was born.
Watch the Event Medicine video to learn more.
Originally, stadium care consisted of a person and a telephone, calling the nearest ambulance. Response times were slow, the system disjointed, and cardiac arrest outcomes were universally fatal. Great advances in technology and process delivery have radically challenged the historical norm. Event medicine is now characterized by groups of multidisciplinary professionals demonstrating teamwork that rivals the arena competitors. Appropriately performed, event medicine shrinks the fan’s risk of harm to immeasurable rates.
Cleveland Clinic’s Event Medicine team has established event medicine policies and procedures to provide injury and illness medical care to event spectators. Led by board-certified emergency department physicians and staffed by paramedics and emergency department registered nurses certified in advanced cardiac life support, our Cleveland Clinic Event Medicine specialists offer everything to make your event safe and successful.
Cleveland Clinic Event Medicine staff can be found in the first aids rooms of Cleveland ’s professional venues including Cleveland Browns Stadium, Jacobs Field and Quicken Loans Arena.
Our event medicine team also cared for spectators at many local and national events including:
- Gravity Games 2002-2003
- Harborfest Tall ships
- North Coast Offshore Grand Prix
- Hoop-it-Up
- International Children’s Games 2004
- Cleveland Botanical Flower Show 2005
