The Rugby World Cup Final 2003 was associated with reduced A&E attendances in the 2 hours before kick-off in the West Midlands (RR 0.71; 95% CI 0.55-0.89) and New South Wales.
Observational
Yes
Does the Rugby World Cup Final 2003 influence the volume and timing of accident and emergency attendances?
Major sporting events can significantly alter the volume and timing of emergency department attendances, with decreases during the event and potential increases afterward.
Relative Risk: 0.71 (95% CI 0.55–0.89)
OBJECTIVES: To determine changes in volume and timing of accident and emergency (A&E) attendances associated with the Rugby World Cup Final 2003. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of A&E attendance data from the West Midlands Surveillance Centre and the New South Wales Emergency Department Collection. SETTING: West Midlands, England and New South Wales, Australia. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Relative risk of accident and emergency attendance during a 18-h period in 2003 compared with the same 18-h period in the years 2000-2002. RESULTS: In the West Midlands, in the 2 h before kick-off there were 72 attendances compared with an expected 101 in 2000-2002 relative risk (RR) 0.71, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.55-0.89. For New South Wales, there were 326 attendances compared with an expected 384 (RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.76-0.95). The West Midlands saw a significant increase in attendance peaking 6-8 h after the kick-off (RR 1.27, 95% CI 1.10-1.46). CONCLUSION: In the West Midlands, it appears that attendance was reduced in the hours immediately surrounding the final, but in subsequent hours attendances increased, potentially as a result of celebration of the win. In New South Wales, the final was associated with reduced attendance in the hours leading up to the final, but they quickly returned to normal. Major sporting events can influence accident and emergency workload.
Moody et al. (Fri,) conducted a observational in Accident and emergency (A&E) attendances. Rugby World Cup Final 2003 vs. Same 18-h period in the years 2000-2002 was evaluated on Relative risk of accident and emergency attendance during a 18-h period (RR 0.71, 95% CI 0.55-0.89). The Rugby World Cup Final 2003 was associated with reduced A&E attendances in the 2 hours before kick-off in the West Midlands (RR 0.71; 95% CI 0.55-0.89) and New South Wales.