Take care this holiday season
The Alfred emergency team is ramping up for the festive season – after last year’s holiday period saw a spike in road trauma injuries, falls and alcohol-related presentations to the Emergency Department (ED).
Across the 10-day Christmas and New Year period last year, The Alfred ED saw almost 1800 patients suffering a range of injuries and illnesses.
This year, the team is urging people to take extra care during the holidays.
“Every holiday season – particularly on New Years Day – we see hundreds of people seriously injured, and many of these incidents are drug or alcohol related,” said Dr Helen Stergiou, Emergency and Trauma Physician.
“Last year we saw a significant increase in alcohol-related presentations, burns, knife injuries, lacerations to hands, wrists and arms. Falls was by far the most common presentation – 229 patients in total.
“I’d like to urge everyone - whether they’re celebrating with friends and family, on the roads, enjoying the outdoors or on the water – to please take care, be safe and always consider the risks. One rash decision could result in an empty seat at Christmas lunch”
Following falls, alcohol and drugs were the second most common reason people presented to ED last year, with 182 patients in total.
Road trauma patients were the third most common presentation to ED over the 10 days. There were 83 patients in total – including 58 of the most seriously injured trauma patients from all over the state.
Dr Stergiou also urged people to keep a close eye on their elderly relatives, as almost one third of people admitted during the holiday period last year were aged over 65.
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