Road map of an Ear, Nose, and Throat clinic during the 2008 Hajj in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES: To present our experience in the development of our own local electronic Makkah Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) - Hajj Database, and provide a road map for the ENT Clinic during Hajj.

METHODS: This prospective cohort study was conducted between November 28 and December 10, 2008 (1429 Hijri Hajj season). All patients presenting to the ENT Clinic at Al-Noor Specialist Hospital, Makkah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia were recorded.

RESULTS: A total of 1047 patients were included. The mean age was 26 ± 6.4 years. There were 663 males (63.3%), and 384 females (36.7%). Among them, 361 patients (34.5%) were Hajjis, and 686 patients (65.5%) were non-Hajji. The total number of Saudi patients were 716 (68.4%), and non-Saudi's were 331 (31.6%). A total of 78.5% of the patients presented during the 12 hours shift (12 PM-12 AM). Upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) including the diagnosis of pharyngitis, viral URTI, and tonsillitis represented 85.2% of the total diagnosis. Twenty-four patients were admitted, with admission conversion rate of 2.3%, and average admission rate is 2 patients per day. Admission in relation to URTI represented 46% of the total admitting diagnosis. In treating these patients, 992 patients (94.7%) received antibiotics as part of, or their main therapy.

CONCLUSIONS: The ENT Hajj Clinic was a success in improving patient's care, and to help alleviate pressure from the Emergency Department.