Introduction: The Hajj pilgrimage, a significant spiritual journey for Muslims, occurs annually in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, attracting millions of participants from diverse backgrounds worldwide. This surge in pilgrims poses substantial challenges for healthcare services, as many face health risks due to physical exertion, dehydration, and exposure to infectious diseases. The unique healthcare demands during Hajj necessitate a thorough understanding of the quality of care provided and the challenges faced by medical convoys. Methods: This observational retrospective cross-sectional study involved 295 patients transferred from Makkah and Madinah hospitals to Arafat via a specialized medical convoy service during the 2023 Hajj season. Data were collected from electronic patient data sheets, documenting demographic characteristics, comorbidities, diagnoses, transfer details, and the Risk Score for Transported Patients (RSTP). Results: Among the 295 patients, the majority were males with an average age of 63.16 years. The most common nationalities were Asian (48.1%) and African (28.5%). Significant comorbidities included hypertension (34.2%) and diabetes mellitus (33.2%). RSTP indicated that 96.6% of patients had scores below 6. Nearly half were discharged within 72 hours post-transfer, while a small percentage experienced deterioration or mortality. Most patients (58.3%) did not receive any medications or anesthesia, although 31.2% were administered analgesics. Common diagnoses included fractures (15.3%) and heat stroke (10.5%). Univariate logistic regression analysis revealed significant associations between higher RSTP and factors such as older age, presence of arrhythmias, need for respiratory support, lower Glasgow Coma Scale scores, total score, and blood pressure. Conclusion: This study highlights the diverse demographics and significant comorbidities of patients transferred during Hajj, indicating the need for tailored healthcare strategies. The strong association between higher RSTP scores and factors such as age and arrhythmias underscores the importance of enhanced monitoring during transport. It is crucial to develop protocols that ensure patient safety and optimize outcomes in future healthcare delivery during Hajj.
Alsaleh et al. (Sun,) studied this question.