Medical Providers Caution PGA Attendees About Weather-Related Concerns - Archived

 

 

Medical Providers Caution PGA Attendees About Weather-related Concerns
Air quality alert and potential for summer storms forecasted

 

Louisville, Ky. (August 6, 2014)—If you’re among the 150,000 plus spectators headed to the 96^th PGA Championship at Valhalla this week, KentuckyOne Health physicians and other staff providing medical management at the event urge caution in light of the week’s forecast.

A study done by the National Weather Service revealed that 28 percent of lightning fatalities occurred on a golf course. In case of thunderstorms, it is crucial that all patrons seek shelter immediately.

In addition to having a forecast of thunderstorms, there is also an air quality alert issued for the area. Air pollution has reached an unhealthy level and experts advise sensitive groups of people avoid prolonged periods of being outdoors. This includes children, the elderly and people with lung diseases and asthma.

Dehydration is another issue of concern. Symptoms of dehydration include thirst, dry or sticky mouth, infrequent or no urination, headache and muscle cramps. If you experience any of these symptoms, increase your fluid intake immediately and seek assistance from one of the three KentuckyOne medical trailers on site at Valhalla.

“While having the PGA Championship in Louisville is incredibly exciting, it’s important that attendees are aware of the risks involved with attending an event of this size,” said Dr. Mario Maya, medical director. “It is our hope that no incidents take place, but if something happens, we’re on-site and ready to help.”

KentuckyOne’s medical trailers are staffed with a physician, registered nurse and administrative support person. The three trailers will be staffed daily for the duration of the event from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

More than 150 volunteers will work for KentuckyOne this week to provide medical care, including on-call physicians in a variety of specialties.

 

About KentuckyOne Health
KentuckyOne Health was formed when two major Kentucky health care organizations came together in early 2012. KentuckyOne Health combines the Jewish and Catholic heritages of the two former systems – Jewish Hospital & St. Mary’s HealthCare and Saint Joseph Health System. In late 2012, the organization formed a partnership with the University of Louisville Hospital | James Graham Brown Cancer Center.  The nonprofit system is committed to improving the health of Kentuckians by integrating medical research, education, technology and health care services wherever patients receive care. KentuckyOne Health has more than 200 locations including hospitals, physician groups, clinics, primary care centers, specialty institutes and home health agencies across the state of Kentucky and southern Indiana.

 

 

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