Icy roads sent hundreds to hospitals with broken bones over the weekend, mostly elderly

The Netherlands saw a surge in injuries over the weekend as icy and snowy conditions led to more falls, particularly among older residents. Hospitals and emergency services reported a significant rise in patients with fractures, including hip, wrist, elbow, and ankle injuries.

The Dutch Association of Emergency Physicians (NVSHA) reported "significantly more injuries" from falls. Most affected were elderly individuals, and those with hip and wrist fractures. The NVSHA noted that only a portion of those injured visited hospital emergency departments; most sought care at general practitioner (GP) out-of-hours posts. The GP association InEen could not provide figures for patients treated at these locations.

Weather warnings were widespread. A nationwide code yellow alert was in place due to the risk of icy roads from residual snow and frozen wet surfaces, while several provinces issued code orange warnings.

Several hospitals reported higher patient volumes. The emergency departments at Ny Smellinghe in Drachten, Wilhelmina Hospital in Assen, and the Treant hospitals in Emmen, Hoogeveen, and Stadskanaal saw increased numbers of patients with fractures to wrists, hips, forearms, and ankles. Isala hospitals in Meppel and Zwolle also reported more broken bones linked to the slippery conditions.

The two Amsterdam locations of OLVG experienced a sharp increase in weekend patients. A hospital spokeswoman said about 150 people arrived with wrist and elbow fractures caused by the icy roads, nearly double a typical weekend without winter weather. She noted that Saturday was particularly busy, leading to longer wait times, but the hospital managed the situation.