MADISON, Wis. — Medical professionals are recommending those with non-emergency health needs consider video visits amid a winter storm expected to bring blizzard-like conditions to the Midwest.
At SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, staff members prepared to potentially sleep at hotels or even the hospital itself to make sure patients in need still have care throughout the storm.
Between the bitterly cold temperatures, strong winds and snow, there are a number of elements to the system that could pose a hazard to people outside in the elements without taking proper precautions, Dr. Kyle Martin from the hospital’s emergency department warned Wednesday.
“Frostbite can happen really quickly and obviously hypothermia can as well, and at these temperatures, exposed hands and feet, even at a brief period of time, can end up being injured from frostbite for sure,” he said.
UW Health pediatric injury prevention manager Rishelle Eithun said those who don’t have to be out on the roads should avoid doing so.
“If you don’t have to travel, and we know that as we continue to monitor the conditions, stay home,” Eithun said.
While some may be able to ride out the storm at home, first responders and those in the medical field likely don’t have the same option.
For those people, it’s important to stay prepared.
“Have an extra set of boots and a shovel and a blanket, some emergency supplies in your car if you do need to venture out,” Martin said.
Once the snow stops falling, many people will head out to clear their driveways with a snow blower. SSM Health officials said they see a number of patients visit emergency room from the tools and are urging people to be careful, especially when putting their hands anywhere near the blades.
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