State Pattys Day, which has been celebrated in late February in downtown State College for a number of years, has resulted in some dire consequences for some people in the past. The message from the emergency department (ED) at Mount Nittany Medical Center is, “be careful and be safe.” Nancy Mutch, RN, MSN, administrative director of the emergency department, says, “We are grateful that the community is helping to mitigate the effects of alcohol related events associated with State Patty’s Day by closing some bars, and scheduling alternative events.”

More than a dozen Penn State student leaders have joined to produce a video denouncing State Patty’s Day, and urging students to respect their University and the surrounding community on Feb. 23: http://live.psu.edu/story/64210.

Emergency Department prepares

For the Feb. 23 weekend, there will be extra nursing staff, and an extra physician on call, which is standard procedure for a home football weekend.

Last year’s statistics

Friday, Saturday and Sunday during last year’s State Patty’s Day:

• Statistics show the average blood alcohol for those admitted to the ED for alcohol problems was .283.
• There were 54 alcohol related events, which is about three times the amount for a regular weekend. 
• Of the 54 alcohol related events, 36 involved Penn State University students.
• The average age was 21 years old.
• There were 149 ambulance calls, which is double the average amount during a regular weekend.
• The total patients for the weekend were 510—about 170 per day.
• The total patients per weekend are usually about 150.

2013 Statistics:

State Patty’s Day weekend, beginning Feb. 22  to  Feb. 24, 2013:

• 49 patients were seen for alcohol related events
• Average alcohol level was 283.5
• Average age was 20.5
• 22 of the 49 students were from Penn State University