Position Statement: Mass Gathering Medical Care

The National Association of Emergency Medicine Services (EMS) Physicians (NAEMSP) recognizes the continued growth and complexity of mass gathering events and the integral role of the medical director in their planning and management. There is a growing body of literature that provides additional insight into patient presentations as well as preparation, staffing, and planning for these events. The clinical practice of EMS medicine encompasses the provision of care in a variety of out-of-hospital environments, including those defined as mass gathering events. This updated guidance is intended for use by EMS personnel, EMS medical directors, emergency physicians, and other members of the multidisciplinary care team as they strive to provide the best care for patients in a variety of out-of-hospital environments. This document is not meant to be a complete review of all the issues on this topic, but rather a consensus statement based on the combination of available peer-reviewed, published evidence and expert opinion.