Upstate Medical University doctors, nurses and medical residents will again be providing medical care at the State Fair Infirmary during the New York State, which runs from Aug. 23 to Sept. 4.

The infirmary operates from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., during the fair, though emergency medical treatment is available 24 hours a day. The facility treats not only fairgoers, but those who work at the fair concession, rides and other attractions.

Located behind the Horticulture building, the infirmary is about 20,000 square feet, and includes a waiting room, triage area and 22 beds.

“The fairgrounds becomes the fifth largest city in New York state during the run of the fair,” said Upstate’s Stan Goettel, who serves as the infirmary manager. “During the fair’s run, it attracts about 75 to 80 percent of the population of the city of Syracuse with 20 percent of the land mass.

“It’s a busy 13 days with the potential to see many injuries,” he said. “Fairgoers can be assured that we are ready for anything.”

The most common medical issues are asthma attacks, bee stings, blood sugar abnormalities, broken bones, dehydration, heat exhaustion and heart attacks. Most conditions can be treated at the infirmary, but ambulances are on standby in case hospital treatment is necessary.

What’s new this year is a computerized interface that enables fair officials to receive 15-minute updates of the activity in the infirmary. Previously the information was entered by hand and sent periodically to fair officials. But this year the task is automated, thanks to the efforts of Upstate’s Information Management and Technology team.

“This real-time tracking of infirmary patient encounters allows fair officials to monitor how busy we are, the reason for visits, the number of individuals transported off the grounds in need of critical care,” Goettel said.

Upstate medical students will also visit the infirmary to observe. Goettel said this is the second year medical students have assisted in the infirmary. “The experience was so well received by all that we understood how valuable this opportunity is for them,” he said.

The State Fair Infirmary averages about 550 patient visits each year, but extreme warmth can spike infirmary visits. One of the higher volumes experienced was in 2012 when 762 individuals sought care in the infirmary.

“We're prepared for anything,” Goettel said. “Our mission is to get you the appropriate treatment for what ails you and then get you back out to enjoy the fair.”

 

Caption: The infirmary at the New York State Fair.