Table of contents:
- Festive traditions in hospitals
- Ambulance crews embrace the holiday spirit
- Challenges of New Year’s Day
- Appreciation for health-care workers
Festive traditions in hospitals
Hospitals in Quebec create unique holiday moments for staff and patients. Employee potlucks are a common tradition, with workers bringing dishes to share during breaks. Audrey-Anne Turcotte Brousseau, an emergency physician at Fleurimont and Hôtel-Dieu hospitals, noted that these gatherings help make holiday shifts enjoyable.
Small decorations are used in hospital spaces where permitted, though infection prevention measures limit their use. However, Brousseau emphasized that the holiday spirit comes more from staff camaraderie and their collective efforts during the season.
Clinical nurse Fares Massaad described a similar tradition at Sainte-Justine Hospital, where staff in both the emergency and haematology departments organize potlucks on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Sharing meals helps foster a festive atmosphere even during demanding shifts.
Ambulance crews embrace the holiday spirit
Paramedics also find creative ways to celebrate. Adrianne Venne, an ambulance driver with Urgences-Santé in Montreal, explained how paramedics decorate their vehicles with garlands and lights to bring a festive touch to their work.
Ambulance crews often meet in hospital parking lots or quiet locations to share meals during breaks. Popular dishes include chocolate fondue and non-alcoholic apple cider. These small celebrations bring moments of joy and connection during a busy season.
Challenges of New Year’s Day
The dynamics of holiday shifts differ between Christmas and New Year’s Day. Christmas tends to be quieter, with fewer calls and emergencies. However, New Year’s Eve is busier, with more cases of intoxication and accidents reported by paramedics like Venne. Hospitals also see an increase in patients after Christmas, often due to gatherings spreading respiratory infections or delays in seeking care.
Brousseau noted that families gathering during the holidays often contribute to a rise in flu and contagious diseases around New Year’s Day. Snowstorms, on the other hand, temporarily reduce emergency room traffic as people stay home.
Appreciation for health-care workers
Patients often show gratitude to health-care workers during the festive season. Massaad mentioned receiving small gifts and chocolates while working in the haematology department. In emergency settings, patients still express their appreciation despite the short-term nature of care.
Venne highlighted how some 9-1-1 calls during the holidays stem from emotional distress. She noted that providing support to those feeling isolated or struggling emotionally is an essential part of the job. These acts of care and understanding reflect the dedication of health-care professionals during the holiday season.
source: CTV News
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