McLeod to provide new services at the Darlington Raceway during race weekend
Over the years, the medical requirements established by NASCAR have heightened since the death of NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt in 2001. Each year, McLeod has worked closely with the Track Too Tough to Tame to ensure the health and safety of the drivers and fans and this year is no different.
“For the Labor Day Race Weekend, we have redesigned the interior of the Infield Care Center and doubled our capacity for patient care,” said Philip Brown, Director of the McLeod Emergency Department. “This redesign enables us to care for more patients during peak times.”
The McLeod Infield Care Center services will begin 30 minutes before the NASCAR garage opens and end two hours after the garage closes.
Another new component this year is a cooling/aid station located outside the track in the vendor area. The cooling/aid station will be open Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
“We are trying to help fill a need for Darlington Raceway with our cooling/aid station,” Brown said. “This will bring medical services outside of the care center to the general masses.
“Nurses and paramedics will be located at the station to assist race fans who may experience effects from the heat or an emergency that needs immediate attention before they can gain access to the Infield Care Center. EMS will also work closely with us at this station to quickly transport any emergent care to the hospital,” added Brown.
McLeod Health and the Darlington Raceway have been in a medical partnership that extends back more than 35 years. It started in 1982 and continues each Labor Day Weekend with the staffing of the track’s Infield Care Center by McLeod Medical Professionals.
When the relationship first began in 1982, the residents of the McLeod Family Medicine Residency Program provided the infield care. Dr. William Hester, Director of the McLeod Family Medicine Residency Program at the time, brought third-year residents out to staff the McLeod Infield Care Center.
During this period of time, Darlington hosted two races a year and time trials on Thursday and Friday made it a four-day event. The residents, along with paramedics, EMTs, and registered nurses all volunteered to provide medical coverage.
“We cared for anyone who presented,” said Dr. Hester. “For 15 years, the McLeod Family Medicine Residents provided medical care to drivers, pit crews and fans for 30 different races.”
In 1998, the Infield Care Center transitioned to the trauma team with the McLeod Regional Medical Center Emergency Department. Today, like the tradition that began with the McLeod residents, the medical team at the McLeod Infield Care Center provides care for everyone – from pit crew to fans.
“If a wreck occurs during one of the races, and the car has to be towed in, the driver must be brought to us for assessment,“ said Barbara Campbell, RN, McLeod Patient Care Supervisor.
“It takes a strong team to provide the necessary medical care we offer, and we are proud to be a part of this Southern tradition. McLeod Air Reach, our aeromedical helicopter, is also stationed at the race all weekend for urgent transport needs and EMS is always willing to lend a hand when we get busy,” added Campbell.