The New Year passed relatively quietly in the emergency departments in Drenthe hospitals. At Isala in Meppel and the Wilhelmina Hospital Assen the number of patients remained limited, while at the Scheper Hospital in Emmen it was slightly busier than in previous years.
In Meppel the crowds were comparable to a regular night, an Isala spokesperson said. “A patient was treated for hand injuries caused by fireworks. This person was able to return home after treatment.”
Furthermore, there were no recordings with injuries related to New Year’s Eve and there were no victims due to carbide shooting. Last year, four patients were treated in Meppel for injuries around New Year’s Eve.
The night also passed quietly at the Wilhelmina Hospital Assen (WZA). “Last night two people came in with fireworks injuries and another one around midnight,” says Anneke Blom, ER doctor. “The injury occurred because fireworks went off too early, despite safety measures taken.”
All patients were able to go home after treatment. In addition, one person reported complaints due to alcohol consumption. In that respect it was quieter than on some standard days.
“The night went well,” says Blom. She emphasizes that serious injuries, such as amputations or serious burns, are referred to the UMCG or the Martini Hospital in Groningen.
Scheper Hospital was slightly busier than previous years. According to Linda Altena, head of emergency department at Treant, approximately ten fireworks victims arrived.
They suffered hand and eye injuries, among other things. In addition to the fireworks-related injuries, regular care also continued and there was a few patients with alcohol intoxication. Some patients will return to the hospital today for a re-evaluation.