HOUSTON -- Houston-area hospitals are hoping Super Bowl visitors do not end up in emergency rooms, but officials are getting ready just in case.

More people in town means the possibility of more patients, so hospitals are not taking any chances.

On any given day, Houston hospitals see hundreds of patients. On Super Bowl Sunday, they could see hundreds more.

"Anytime you have 100,000 extra people into a congested area, you can expect increased trauma," said Dr. Jeffrey Kalina, with Methodist Hospital.

Kalina is head of emergency medicine at Methodist Hospital, as well as the director of the Texas Medical Center Disaster Coordination Committee.

"We're going to staff it for the busiest day of the week for the entire weekend," he said.

Johnie Leonard is nursing director for Methodist's emergency department.

"We're thinking that our nightshift is going to be busy -- a lot busier than it typically would be after 3 a.m. because folks will be out partying," Leonard said.

"If we were in disaster mode, we would start triaging patients out in the driveway," Kalina said.

Hospitals are also ready for huge disasters, with plenty of supplies and preparation.

"God forbid something could happen. But if it does, we're prepared for it because of increased training since Sept. 11," Leonard said.

Emergency rooms all over the city have increased staff and postponed elective surgeries.

Ben Taub Hospital, always on the front line of trauma cases, has brought in nearly 50 extra beds. The hospital also stocked up on blood, just in case.

"The biggest challenge for the weekend, I think, will be getting through the shift," Kalina said.

Kalina has advice for the public that could keep them out of the hospital.

Drink responsibly.
Alcohol affects body temperature, so it may make you feel warmer. But it does the opposite with your body temperature and can lead to hypothermia and dehydration.