Heat alarm in Cologne clinics: parents suffer from unbearable temperatures!

Heat alarm in Cologne clinics: parents suffer from unbearable temperatures!

The heat wave is keeping Germany on tenterhooks, and the clinics in Cologne are also facing a huge challenge. Again Cologne City Gazette reports, the situation in many hospitals is anything but pleasant for professionals and patients. The hospital stay is a stressful test, especially for parents who look after their children in the children's clinic on Amsterdamer Straße. They complain of “unbearable temperatures,” which only increases concerns about their children’s health.

The Cologne clinics themselves confirm that only a few rooms are air-conditioned, as there is currently no legal requirement for this. As a rule, air conditioning is only available in operating areas, intensive care units and special rooms with special requirements. The new building of the “F wing” on Amsterdamer Straße had to do without air conditioning due to financial considerations. Instead, a ventilation system is installed that only ensures air exchange without cooling. There is both high-quality solar protection glass and external blinds that can provide some relief.

Lack of heat strategies

But despite these measures, many clinics are not adequately prepared for the heat waves. In recent years, the number of hot days in Germany has tripled from three days in the 1950s to an average of nine days per year, like that Medical Journal reported. Frequent heatwaves pose a challenge, with many hospitals struggling to regulate high temperatures efficiently.

The situation is just as critical for the staff. Workers are encouraged to drink enough and take regular break times, but special hygiene regulations do not allow the use of fans, for example. There have also already been heat-related incidents, as shown by the circulatory collapse of a visitor. Measures such as the provision of free water are there, but these are often not enough to improve the situation.

Future outlook and planned measures

In the future, a new hospital wing is planned in Cologne-Merheim, which should be ready in 7 to 8 years. However, details about the equipment and air conditioning are currently unclear. The federal government presented a heat protection plan in July 2023 that aims to communicate and raise awareness of heat protection. Both short-term and long-term measures are planned to improve the situation in the clinics.

In summary, the challenges posed by rising temperatures are not just a question of equipment, but also a question of health awareness. It remains to be seen what solutions those responsible will find to ensure a certain level of comfort and safety for both patients and nursing staff.