Las Vegas medical centers prepare for Mayweather-Pacquiao fight

Every aspect of the big Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Manny Pacquiao fight will be dissected this week, and that includes medical contingencies being anticipated by health care professionals.

Hospital officials say their preparations for Saturday’s mega-fight in Las Vegas will be similar to the level of service they might expect on New Year’s Eve or Super Bowl Sunday, when celebrants’ levels of consciousness can be affected by a combination of excitement, alcohol and other mind-altering substances.

No overall emergency medical services plan has been put in place, but hospital officials have been having internal discussions about increased activity. The fight is expected to draw an estimated 150,000 to 200,000 visitors to the valley over the weekend.

“We’re advising staff in our our emergency departments to be prepared for a surge, and it might not be just Saturday night,” said Dan Lake, director of security for Dignity Health Nevada, which operates the three St. Rose Dominican Hospitals in the south part of the valley.

As with any fight, two ambulances will be on hand at the MGM Grand Garden in the event of an injury to any fighter, whether in the main event or on the undercard, said Scott White, CEO of American Medical Response and its subsidiary, MedicWest Ambulance. If a fighter needs to be transported from the venue, another unit will be sent to ensure two ambulances are on hand at all times when boxers are in the ring, White said.

At the conclusion of all fights, paramedics escort both boxers to a private area where they are examined by fight doctors. The physicians determine whether the athletes need additional medical attention, and MedicWest contracts with the Nevada State Athletic Commission to transport those fighters to an emergency room.

Most of the time, White said, University Medical Center is that destination because UMC has a Level 1 trauma center. Katie Ryan, UMC’s director of emergency services, said the hospital has the specialized personnel and resources to offer the highest level of trauma care in the state.

Additional paramedics will be at first-aid stations inside MGM Grand, White said, which is routine when large crowds gather around town.

“It’s a big event, but we do big events all the time in Las Vegas,” White said. “For us, this is not really anything out of the ordinary.”

Contact Steven Moore at smoore@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4563.