Patient presentations at large-scale events: a thematic analysis of the literature

Music festivals, football matches and other sporting events, agricultural shows and state fairs, and religious festivals are large-scale events where people present with medical or care needs in the pre-hospital setting. The author undertook a literature review on patient presentations at large-scale events to provide insight to nurses working at such events about the presentations they are likely to encounter and the skills they need to manage them. This article discusses patient presentations from lower-limb injury to drug intoxication, influenza, heat stroke and cardiac arrest. The author explores the commonalities and differences in patient presentations according to the type of events and makes recommendations for practice.