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AI-DRAFTED — PHYSICIAN REVIEW IN PROGRESSThe citation for this entry was checked against Crossref and PubMed, but its summary and interpretation were drafted by an AI model from the published abstract and have not yet been individually read by a physician. Read the linked source before relying on this operationally.
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Providing medical care at mass gathering sporting events: the 2023 Ryder Cup experience[1]

Mercalli C, Ghio FE, Bonizzato S, et al; Carenzo L · 2025 · BMC Emerg Med

Summary

Retrospective observational study of the six-day 2023 Ryder Cup (Rome) medical operation — field hospital, fixed first-aid stations, mobile patrol crews, multidisciplinary teams: 513 patients, PPR 16.5 per 10,000. Case distribution: main field hospital 43%, mobile teams 37%, fixed stations 21%. Main-hospital case mix: trauma 35%, cardiovascular 14%, heat 11%. On-site diagnostics used: ECG 13%, point-of-care bloods 5%, ultrasound 4%. Median field-hospital stay 28 minutes; 81% discharged on site; 14% referred onward; hospital admission rate 1.0 per 10,000, chiefly for advanced imaging or prolonged observation. (Provider-affiliation conflicts disclosed.)

So what

The golf-major benchmark, and a well-instrumented one: a non-urban multi-day event where mobile teams handled more than a third of the load, on-site diagnostics (ECG/POC bloods/ultrasound) converted an 81% discharge rate, and the residual admission rate of 1.0 per 10,000 was driven by imaging needs — defining exactly where the on-site ceiling sits. The cardiovascular fraction (14%, older golf demographic) echoes Grange's classical-concert arrest lesson: audience age profile sets cardiac posture regardless of event intensity. Ranse/Carenzo lineage links it to the Milano Pride report.

Key findings

  • 6-day Ryder Cup: 513 patients, PPR 16.5/10,000, admission rate 1.0/10,000
  • Mobile teams 37% + fixed stations 21% + field hospital 43% - layered geometry
  • On-site diagnostics: ECG 13%, POC bloods 5%, US 4% - enabled 81% on-site discharge
  • Trauma 35%, cardiovascular 14% (older audience), heat 11% at the field hospital
  • Median stay 28 min; onward referral mainly for advanced imaging; free PMC

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