Cold weather hacks for staying out of ER, urgent care as Bucks County hospital busy

It's been a tough winter for emergency physicians and nurses. First the flu and cold season hit hard, and now people are slip, sliding away to hospitals and urgent care centers after falls on icy pavements and parking lots, or other weather related accidents.

St. Mary Medical Center said its Emergency Department has been very busy for the past few weeks with respiratory illnesses but its busiest day ever was a few years ago when "black ice" caused multiple people to show up at the ED with injuries.

"We saw over 300 patients that day due to falls on black ice. Given the recent frosting in our region and now the overlying snow, we urge all members of our community to practice extreme caution and be on the lookout for black ice when venturing outdoors," said hospital spokesman Jason Griffith.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health reports the number of flu cases this season is high but appears to be dropping. RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) and COVID-19 cases also are coming down but the number of COVID hospitalizations rose last week. So far this season, 103 people in Pennsylvania died of flu and 1,152 from COVID-19 related illness, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.

The combination of respiratory diseases and accidents can make for long waits for treatment at some medical centers.

Doylestown Hospital: 'Anticipate longer waits'

Doylestown Hospital has been "at or above capacity for most of the last three weeks, and individuals should anticipate longer wait times and more congestion than we would ideally like to see," said hospital spokesperson Angela Linch on Thursday.

"We always encourage people to seek the advice of their primary care physician if their illness is non-life threatening."

At Capital Health in Trenton and Hopewell, patient capacity is not overcrowded, said spokesperson Kate Stier. "We'll continue to take patients and see patients."

But with illnesses and the stormy, frigid weather this past week, Patient First urgent cares have been busy.

More: Bucks County snow forecast: Winter storm could dump up to 6 inches.

A Patient First medical director, Dr. Heather Osher, said, "We have been seeing a lot of injuries from falls … and also from car accidents … as a result of the recent winter weather we experienced earlier this week. With more winter weather on the way, it’s prudent to be extra careful if you must be out and about.

More: Bucks County hospitals are growing with new trauma, critical care, cancer centers and more

To avoid frostbite and injuries on snow and ice ― for those who may forget after two winters with barely a dusting of the white stuff - the urgent care service offers the following advice:

Dress warmly

First, wear warm clothing and dress in layers. Use hats, gloves, scarves and well-insulated boots to protect your extremities, ears and nose from frostbite.

Frostbite develops when skin and underlying tissue are exposed to very cold and freezing conditions. "Skin that appears waxy or hard and has a gray tone may have frostbite. It may also itch and burn and turn red as it thaws," Patient First warns.

Frostbite should be treated by a physician. In the meantime, remove wet clothing and try not to walk on frostbitten toes or feet. Gently warm a frostbitten area in warm water, not with direct heat.

Be observant of 'black ice'

When walking on ice or snow, wear boots or shoes with gripping soles to provide traction. Take small, side-by-side steps to maintain your center of gravity. And use handrails where provided and canes and walkers when needed.

"Be very observant of your surroundings and be on the lookout for icy patches on driveways, sidewalks and parking lots – especially “black ice," Osher said.

"Icy patches can be difficult to spot. The slips and falls that come with ice can be serious. If you come across a patch that you believe may be icy, tap the edge of the area with your foot to be sure....Keep hands out of pockets to keep balance on a slippery surface," Patient First advised.

Check around your vehicle when getting in or out of it to make sure there aren't icy spots. If there are, move the vehicle to another location if possible. Use the vehicle handle and other parts for balance and support when entering or exiting it. And follow instructions on the use of winter equipment, like snow blowers.

Stay hydrated in the cold

Stay hydrated when outside in cold weather as warm clothing can make the body work harder to cool. And dehydration can cause cramps, fatigue, loss of coordination or even stroke. And can contribute to catching a cold or the flu.

Be sure to drink before, during and after outdoor activities. "Water-based foods like soup, fruits and vegetables are a source of hydration and nutrients."

And most importantly, "if you do not need to be on the roads, stay home," Osher said.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Snow storms, ice injuries that can send you to ER, urgent cares