How the Holidays Affect the Healthcare Industry | Wayne Emerson Gregory Jr, SC

A survey conducted in November 2021 by the APA revealed that 41 percent of Americans think their stress levels increase during the holidays. The causes of stress were identified as being able to afford gifts and contracting COVID-19.

The survey also revealed that healthcare workers are more affected by holiday stress. Over half of the respondents said their stress levels increased during the holiday season. One of the most common reasons why healthcare workers feel stressed is due to working long hours. Nevertheless, here are aspects that affect the health industry through the holiday.

High Demand

Although many healthcare workers can’t stay home over the holidays, working long hours can still result in stress. Aside from working long hours, the holiday season also increases the demand for healthcare services. From 2009 to 2012, the CPSC reported over 12,000 emergency department visits annually due to holiday decorating-related accidents.

Holiday Fires

Cooking fires are the most common cause of residential fires. They cause around 165,600 fires each year, which leads to the deaths of over 200 individuals and injuries of approximately 3,200. During the holiday season, about 1,600 fires involving cooking occur on Thanksgiving Day.

Apart from cooking fires, holiday decorations are also known to cause residential fires. From 2009 to 2011, the fire departments responded to around 200 fires caused by Christmas trees. These fires resulted in the deaths of ten individuals and property loss of around $16 million. On the other hand, candle-related fires caused by the holiday season killed over 70 people and injured more than 660.

Toy Injuries

In 2021, over 200,000 toy-related injuries were reported in US emergency rooms. Pediatric ER nurses will nod their heads as they learn that 74 percent of these incidents were caused by kids under 14 years old, while children sustained 69 percent under 12 years old, and 37 percent were by kids four years old and younger. Unfortunately, two deaths were also reported due to this type of injury.

Travel Accidents

According to the National Safety Council, over 300 people are expected to die on US roads during the Christmas and New Year’s holiday seasons. Many of these individuals travel long distances to visit their loved ones and tend to get behind the wheel while under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

About Wayne Emerson Gregory Jr, SC

Wayne Emerson Gregory Jr., SC is a registered nurse in Georgia specializing in advanced cardiovascular life support, basic life support, and CPR and AED. Wayne also holds a certification in Stroke Scale from NIHSS. Wayne Emerson Gregory Jr. began his education career at Piedmont Technical College, where he earned a degree in Nursing in December 2019. He is currently completing his BSN with The University of Alabama and will graduate in August 2021. Wayne Emerson Gregory Jr. also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Government and Political Science from Furman University and a Master in Public Administration from Clemson University.

Wayne Emerson Gregory Jr. knows that when he is working in healthcare, each patient is unique and deserves to be treated as such. Not only is he dedicated to their physical health, but Wayne also prides himself on caring for the whole individual. Wayne specifically works in the ICU and medical-surgical departments, where he typically sees patients who have experienced trauma or recently had invasive surgery. That’s the time you would want a caring professional, and Gregory Jr. is just that!

Today, Wayne Emerson Gregory Jr. works as the owner of Gregory Equipment Sales in Spartanburg, South Carolina, a role he’s held since 2014. Wayne Emerson Gregory Jr., SC is a compassionate and committed healthcare professional. He cares deeply about each and every patient and strives to make their experience as enjoyable as possible.

Visit Wayne Emerson Gregory Jr.'s websites to learn more about his thoughts on healthcare, sports, or education.