By Matt Barnard
Tulsa World
Copyright 2007 Tulsa World

OWASSO, Okla. — Ambulance trips to Owasso hospitals rose by nearly 25 percent this summer, stressing hospital and fire department staffs, officials said.

With ambulance trips lasting about an hour, the extra workload can be draining for medical responders, said Steven Nelson, an Owasso Fire Department emergency medical technician.

"It can physically wear you down," Nelson said. "We go out there, and we're pouring sweat responding to calls. You've got to gear up mentally and physically."

Firefighters took 241 patients to Owasso hospitals during July and August, when the trend hit its peak, according to fire department documents. Crews averaged about 80 trips each month earlier this year.

High temperatures, sports injuries and school summer vacations were the main causes of the spike, which usually occurs every summer, said Bruce Kelley, the department's emergency medical services manager.

Kelley said calls may decrease in the coming months, dropping slightly in the fall.

"I expect the numbers to drop off a little bit, but not dramatically," he said.

With more people requiring medical care, nurses and doctors also deal with hectic workdays.

The extra patients have led to "controlled chaos" at area hospitals, said Dr. Jason Lepak, director of the emergency department at St. John Owasso Hospital, 12455 E. 100th St. North.

As incoming patients flow into the hospital, managers schedule extra staff and overtime workers, he said. The extra patient load sometimes doubles emergency room staff during peak hours.

Injuries from boating accidents, sports and hot weather usually increase, Lepak said, but patients arrive with a variety of conditions.

"It does run the gamut," he said. "We see a lot of heat-related illnesses. Along with that we do have more severe trauma."

The extra workload stresses workers but doesn't affect their performance, Lepak said.

"Mentally and physically, they kind of ramp up for that and know that when summertime hits, they're going to be a little bit busier," he said. "We were geared up for (more patients), and we've been able to accommodate that pretty well."