The day after Western Sweden's first snowfall, Mölndal Hospital's waiting room stood completely empty. This followed a busy Wednesday when the facility filled with patients seeking treatment for slip and fall injuries.
Heavy snow covered Gothenburg within one hour on Wednesday. The sudden winter conditions created major problems for both car and public transportation. Several accidents occurred throughout the day.
Drivers weren't the only ones experiencing difficulties. Cyclists and pedestrians also struggled with the slippery conditions. By Wednesday afternoon, Mölndal Hospital's waiting room had filled with people needing care for snow-related injuries.
Anders Jönsson, chief orthopedic physician at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, explained their preparedness. "It was typical for the first snowfall so we were prepared and had strengthened our staffing," he said in a statement.
Most injuries involved wrist and ankle fractures. These are common winter injuries when people instinctively extend their hands to break falls.
The snow stopped by afternoon. By Thursday morning, traffic authorities reported low risk of slippery conditions in the Gothenburg area. The hospital's empty waiting room reflected this improvement.
"The waiting room was completely empty when I came in this morning," Jönsson confirmed.
Despite the improved conditions, a handful of patients arrived during Thursday morning. Some had fallen the previous day but waited to seek treatment. Others had slipped on remaining icy patches.
Jönsson warned that danger persists even after roads clear. "Even though the car roads are dry, many pedestrian and bicycle paths still haven't been treated for slippery conditions," he explained.
He advised continued caution for pedestrians. "It's important to take it carefully when walking outside today too. Especially older people who might have poorer balance," Jönsson added.
This pattern repeats annually across Nordic countries. First snowfalls consistently cause injury spikes as people adjust to winter conditions. Municipalities typically prioritize main roads over pedestrian paths in initial snow clearing operations.
International residents often underestimate Nordic winter hazards. Many come from climates without proper winter infrastructure. They frequently lack experience walking on icy surfaces.
Swedish hospitals maintain contingency plans for weather-related injury surges. They typically deploy extra orthopedic staff during forecasted snow events. This preparedness likely prevented longer wait times during Wednesday's busy period.
The quick return to normal patient volumes demonstrates effective municipal response. Gothenburg's snow clearing operations apparently succeeded in making main thoroughfares safe within hours.
However, the continued trickle of slip injuries highlights remaining vulnerabilities in pedestrian infrastructure. This gap between road and sidewalk maintenance poses particular risks for elderly residents and those with mobility challenges.