{"id":6832,"date":"2016-12-16T05:46:10","date_gmt":"2016-12-16T05:46:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.metronorth.health.qld.gov.au\/rbwh\/uncategorized\/dont-meet-hospital-staff-accident-christmas-top-10-ed-presentations-revealed.html\/"},"modified":"2016-12-16T05:46:10","modified_gmt":"2016-12-16T05:46:10","slug":"dont-meet-hospital-staff-accident-christmas-top-10-ed-presentations-revealed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.metronorth.health.qld.gov.au\/rbwh\/news\/dont-meet-hospital-staff-accident-christmas-top-10-ed-presentations-revealed","title":{"rendered":"Don\u2019t meet hospital staff by accident this Christmas: Top 10 ED presentations revealed"},"content":{"rendered":"

Don\u2019t meet hospital staff by accident this Christmas: Top 10 ED presentations revealed<\/h1><\/h1><\/div>
\"Health

Health Minister Cameron Dick and RBWH Emergency Department specialist Dr Bill Lukin address media at the launch of the Don’t Meet Us by Accident Christmas campaign.<\/p><\/div>\n

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Cameron Dick has united with Queensland\u2019s largest hospital to urge the community to take extra care this Christmas as frontline staff prepare for one of their busiest times of the year.<\/p>\n

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Cameron Dick has united with Queensland\u2019s largest hospital to urge the community to take extra care this Christmas as frontline staff prepare for one of their busiest times of the year.<\/p>\n

With less than 10 days to go until Santa comes calling, Royal Brisbane and Women\u2019s Hospital has revealed the top 10 reasons Queenslanders wind up in Emergency Departments over the festive season.<\/p>\n

RBWH Emergency Department specialist Dr Bill Lukin said ED presentations jumped over the Christmas-New Year period with alcohol and stress contributing to preventable accidents.<\/p>\n

“A hospital trip is not how anyone should spend the holidays, but as people slip into holiday mode, a momentary lapse in concentration is all it takes to end up in an ED,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a time of year when people do more, consume more alcohol and take more risks than they normally would, and often all three at the same time.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a result we see an increase in a range of presentations to our EDs from serious road accident trauma to minor sprains, cuts, bruises and bites.\u201d<\/p>\n

Last Christmas Day, ED staff at RBWH treated 148 people, and New Year\u2019s Day was even busier with 217 presentations.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe scope and severity of injuries varies from people who\u2019ve had too much to drink and fallen into campfires or sustained broken bones or cuts falling off bikes; people with adverse reactions to drugs or eye injuries resulting from using power tools,\u201d Dr Lukin said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWarm summer weather can also lead to heat-related presentations, particularly for the elderly or those with chronic medical conditions, so it\u2019s important to stay hydrated.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe also ask the community to be extra careful when it comes to cooking and camping. Our burns team was kept busy with 36 patients admitted to the unit with injuries that could have been avoided such as scalds and burns from hot oil splashes, throwing petrol or metho on to camp fires or BBQs and exploding gas bottles.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr Lukin said ED staff also saw an increase in mental health presentations over the holidays.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile most of us think of the holidays as a time for celebration it can be a lonely time for people experiencing severe stress, anxiety or mental illness and may trigger depression and increase the risk of self-harm,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

“It\u2019s important we remember to look out for those who are vulnerable.\u201d<\/p>\n

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Cameron Dick said many of the injuries that land people in ED could be avoided.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlcohol remains one of the biggest contributing factors to ED presentations, either from intoxication or alcohol-related injuries, so if you\u2019re having a few drinks, think twice about everything you do,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t drink and drive, take extra care around water or fire and put your safety – and that of loved ones – first.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mr Dick also reminded holiday-makers to keep emergency departments for emergencies.<\/p>\n

\u201cHospitals should be a last resort, not a first resort,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur ED\u2019s don\u2019t exist to treat sore toes, help dig out splinters or manage coughs or colds, so if your medical problem isn\u2019t urgent, call your doctor, call 13 HEALTH or call the After Hours Home Doctor Service.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur ED staff do a superb job under pressure, consistently delivering a high standard of care during such a busy period.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut this festive season, we\u2019re urging Queenslanders to take care of themselves and their loved ones to make sure they don\u2019t meet our ED staff by accident.\u201d<\/p>\n

Silly season top 10:\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Alcohol intoxication<\/li>\n
  2. Chest pain<\/li>\n
  3. Mental health issues<\/li>\n
  4. Low abdominal pain<\/li>\n
  5. Sprains and broken bones; falling off ladders, skateboards, bikes and scooters, slipping around pools<\/li>\n
  6. Trauma \u2013 car accidents<\/li>\n
  7. Drug addiction<\/li>\n
  8. Gastro<\/li>\n
  9. Heat stroke\/exhaustion and extreme sun burn<\/li>\n
  10. Animal bites and stings<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Don\u2019t meet us by accident \u2013 top tips for holiday health<\/strong><\/p>\n