SEATTLE — It has become a national trend to increase the number of visits to the emergency room during this time of year, and many of the most common causes are preventable by simply slowing down and being cautious.
"In addition to all the normal things that we'll see on a daily basis, you add in extra injuries, people being rushed and some extra illnesses as well. And so the volumes just increase over the holidays for us," said Evergreen Health's Dr. Chad Bentsen, Assistant Medical Director of Emergency Medicine at EvergreenHealth. Here are some of the most common things that cause people to spend Christmas in the emergency room:
Holiday Decorating: It is common for people to get hurt while decorating their house for the holidays. Roofs can be slippery and it can be easy to lose your balance. Bentsen said that the easiest way to avoid falling is to not stand on a makeshift ladder, "Decorations always seem to cause some injuries throughout the season."
Icy roads and sidewalks: Falling on the ice can lead to broken bones and concussions. Be extra careful of ice on the path or road when driving and slow down.
Alcohol Consumption: Consuming alcohol in excess can make you more prone to preventable injuries calls by falls or car accidents. Practice safe drinking habits and don't drink and drive.
Foodborne Illnesses: Practice good hygiene when preparing holiday meals. Dr. Benson recommends standard precautions. "Keeping raw food away, cleaning well, washing your hands, making sure you cook things to the recommended temperatures."
Germs: You'll be coming into contact with more people and therefore more germs. Washing your hands is the best way to prevent illnesses from spreading. If you don't have that option you can use alcohol swabs or hand sanitizer.
If you're not sure whether to visit the emergency department or urgent care, Bentsen recommends calling the EvergreenHealth Healthline, "You can call 24 hours a day and talk to a nurse who can help direct you to based on your symptoms in your past medical history to the correct resource."
If you do make a visit to the emergency department, knowing what to expect will help you have a much smoother experience. Bentsen reminds us that the emergency department is not first come first serve. The triage nurses will decide who needs immediate attention, so some people will have to wait.
"[Try] to be patient with everybody involved, and with us where we're going as fast as we can and get you the care we need. But if you can stay calm, that makes things go smoothly."
Sponsored by Evergreen Health. Segment Producer Heidi Eng. Watch New Day Northwest 11 AM weekdays on KING 5 and streaming live on KING5.com. Contact New Day.