Hold off non-essential trips to the ER over the holidays
Posted Dec 16, 2017 08:07:27 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Trips to the emergency department this holiday season should be reserved for real emergencies.
That’s the message from Kitchener’s two hospitals, who say visits to the ER historically jump 15 per cent, when there’s reduced hours at family doctor offices and urgent care centres over the Christmas break.
Dr. Colin Yardley is an emergency physician at Grand River Hospital and St. Mary’s General. He says to avoid spending non-essential time in a hospital waiting room, be prepared. That includes ensuring you have enough medication to get you through the holidays, and that all medical equipment — such as inhalers, respirators, glucometers and diabetic supplies — is in good working condition.
There’s also things you can do to keep yourself healthy over the holidays like washing your hands often, and avoiding contact with relatives and friends who are under the weather. The big one: get your flu shot.
A couple of other tips include:
– Homes are often busy, with additional people and less supervision for young members of the family, and that means you’ll have to be more vigilant to keep medication, alcohol and tobacco products out of the reach of children.
-Ask your doctor’s office about its holiday hours, and what back-up coverage it offers or recommends when the office is closed.
