Medical Utilisationat a Major Sporting Event- A Descriptive and Epidemiological Analysis.: 1444 Board #252 May 31 8 00 AM - 9 30 AM

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to measure resource utilisation at the largest international aquatic sporting event in the hemisphere. We also aimed to measure epidemiological data including the type, location, sporting discipline and outcomes of medical contacts during the event. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study conducted under the auspices of the organising committee of the XXX Confederation Centroamericana y del Caribe de Natacion (CCCAN) championships held in Trinidad & Tobago. Anonymised data was collected from event medical contact records, screening and voluntarily reported contacts by team medical staff (for individuals who did not visit event medical staff). We excluded contacts by spectators. Data was collected over a 12 day competition period. Injury incidence rate (IR; number of injuries per 1000 athlete-days) and injury incidence proportion (IP; injuries per 100 athletes) were calculated. CONCLUSIONS: There were 110 medical contacts for the event, with 80 occurring in athletes (72.7%). A significant number of non-sport related contacts was observed (60%) with a high number of complaints related to exhaustion and inadequate hydration. This was independent of country of origin. Acute gastroenteritis, ear and sinus infections were within expected frequencies. No EMS usage was necessary, and hospital transfers were for diagnostics in all cases. There were a total of 54 sport related contacts in 3956 athlete days (IR 13.65 injuries per 1000 athlete-days with an injury incidence proportion, IP; of 6.5 per 100 athletes). Planning for aquatic events must take into consideration non-sport as well as competition related complaints. This study gives important information on medical utilisation for future event planning.