Holiday hospital visits: One reason you might not think of
TRI-CITIES -- Spending the holiday in the ER is not how most people plan their Thanksgiving, but it's a busy place this time of year. Local hospitals often see a spike in patients and today they were getting ready for the rush. KEPR found out it's more than just carving knives that are causing the trouble.
Gashes, cuts and stitches can be common during the holidays when you combine the distraction of family and the strong presence of alcohol.
"Falling off ladders and cutting themselves... Like carving a turkey," says Matt Kurkjian.
These might seem like typical accidents during the holiday season but doctors tell me that the real increase is actually in mental health.
Dr. Lang at Lourdes tells us, "We see an awful lot of people who are feeling sad. The holiday blues happen. People tend to drink a little bit more, think about family think about lost loved ones, or miss those who aren't able to be with them during the holidays."
This could be especially true in the Tri-Cities this year.
"I think this year is gonna be tough on people here with the layoffs at Hanford and not being able to provide presents for your family and kids. It's tough, ya know, there might be people that might try something drastic, which is unfortunate."
Hospitals in the Tri-Cities are preparing for the increase in patients. Both KGH and Lourdes have more nurses on staff and extra supplies starting Thanksgiving Day through the New Year. Kadlec will begin beefing up staff in a couple weeks. The hope is this will keep the wait time down at the ER, but it's always unpredictable.
Matt explains, "A neighbor of mine was putting up Christmas lights and fell right off the ladder and broke his femur and arm and I had to finish his Christmas lights for him."
Of course the goal is to enjoy the holidays without coming here at all.
Doctors also tell us, another reason for an increase in visitors is simply family doctors going on vacation during the holidays and their patients going to the emergency room instead.
Gashes, cuts and stitches can be common during the holidays when you combine the distraction of family and the strong presence of alcohol.
"Falling off ladders and cutting themselves... Like carving a turkey," says Matt Kurkjian.
These might seem like typical accidents during the holiday season but doctors tell me that the real increase is actually in mental health.
Dr. Lang at Lourdes tells us, "We see an awful lot of people who are feeling sad. The holiday blues happen. People tend to drink a little bit more, think about family think about lost loved ones, or miss those who aren't able to be with them during the holidays."
This could be especially true in the Tri-Cities this year.
"I think this year is gonna be tough on people here with the layoffs at Hanford and not being able to provide presents for your family and kids. It's tough, ya know, there might be people that might try something drastic, which is unfortunate."
Hospitals in the Tri-Cities are preparing for the increase in patients. Both KGH and Lourdes have more nurses on staff and extra supplies starting Thanksgiving Day through the New Year. Kadlec will begin beefing up staff in a couple weeks. The hope is this will keep the wait time down at the ER, but it's always unpredictable.
Matt explains, "A neighbor of mine was putting up Christmas lights and fell right off the ladder and broke his femur and arm and I had to finish his Christmas lights for him."
Of course the goal is to enjoy the holidays without coming here at all.
Doctors also tell us, another reason for an increase in visitors is simply family doctors going on vacation during the holidays and their patients going to the emergency room instead.
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