The Day After Christmas, at the Hospital

The holiday shopping frenzy is over, the presents are opened, the feast has been consumed, life has slowed down to an almost-normal pace, right? Well, that depends to a large degree on where you work. First responders and healthcare workers often find the last week of December to be one of the busiest times of the year.

While there may be some hospital departments that get quieter over the holidays, there are several that don't. In fact, many medical facilities report that patient visits often increase after the holidays, especially to the emergency room and critical care unit. 

Adult children who are visiting elderly parents for the holidays may be concerned about their parents' health and want them to get checked out.  Since many doctors offices are closed, the emergency room may become the back-up provider. Other people may delay needed care in the days leading up to Christmas because they don't want to spoil a family get-together.  Stress from the holiday season, overeating, and car accidents involving intoxicated drivers may also send a higher-than-usual number of patients to the hospital at this time of year.

Wherever you find yourself this season, we hope you have a healthy, happy and -- above all -- peaceful holiday. A special note of appreciation goes out to RNs working in the ER and the ICU.

 

Here's a thoughtful article from an MD about her first Christmas working at a large teaching hospital in Cambridge, Mass. She was particularly grateful to the nurses she worked with.