Landspítali National Hospital urges people to walk like penguins today.
Composite image mbl.is/Jón Pétur/Jón Emil Guðmundsson
The emergency department at Landspítali has been under significant pressure in recent days due to ice-related accidents. The hospital urges the public to take great care and model their walking technique after penguins.
“Typically, we receive around 170 arrivals per day, but over the past several days the number has climbed to as many as 220, partly because of ice-related injuries,” says Gerður Beta Jóhannsdóttir, head nursing officer of Landspítali’s process services, in a statement to mbl.is.
She says injuries caused by icy conditions range from minor fractures to cases requiring surgery. As a result, surgical staff at the hospital are also feeling the impact, with an increase in emergency operations.
Flu Season Adding to the Pressure
“The staff has done absolutely everything possible to keep things running smoothly. But of course there is always a bit of a wait when you have this kind of surge,” Gerður says, adding that the flu is also spreading, contributing to the influx of patients.
She notes that every year at this time, more people seek help at the emergency department because of ice-related accidents.
The hospital’s main message to the public is simply to be careful.
“Falling in these conditions is no joke.”
On Landspítali’s Facebook page, people have been encouraged to remember their ice cleats when heading out for walks—and to take inspiration from the steady, short-stepped gait of penguins.