With temperatures reaching over 30 degrees recently in northern Sweden, the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute's weather warnings have been frequent. And the heat is noticeable in healthcare and care.
Mattias Josefsson, head of operations for Sunderby Hospital's emergency care, sees how patients are affected. Primarily, it concerns older and multi-diseased individuals. But the pressure has not been higher than usual lately.
Their underlying diseases worsen and it may become more difficult with fluid balance, and to get the right amount of fluid related to the diseases they have had previously, he says.
In the emergency department at Sundsvall Hospital, a certain increase in patients affected by the heat can be seen, where most are older with underlying diseases, writes Region Västernorrland to TT.
Region Västerbotten also reports to TT that they have that type of visitors, but the pressure is not higher. Air conditioning has been installed in warm premises and patients as well as staff have fluid replacement, water, and ice cream available.
Patient advice
The emergency department at Sunderby Hospital has relatively new premises that handle the heat well, according to Mattias Josefsson. But in other places in Region Norrbotten, patients, employees, and heat-sensitive medical equipment are affected by warm premises. This is addressed with fans, ventilation, and mobile air conditioning.
Patientes are given advice on how to get the right fluid intake. They are also given advice on how to lower the temperature at home through such things as ventilation.
We see some falls, which can be due to dehydration and that one becomes a little more dizzy. But with those patients, we do not always know if it is due to dehydration and is heat-related, says Mattias Josefsson.
Ice cream and fluid replacement
In elder care, routines are changed during heat waves, says Sonny Bergmark, head of operations for care and nursing in Skellefteå municipality. Among other things, more breaks are taken and more strenuous tasks, such as certain cleaning, are postponed.
It is tough and strenuous for both staff and users. Now, thank goodness, we have relatively cool nights so it is possible to cool down. Elderly housing is generally equipped with cooling fans, he says.
It is important that everyone gets fluid and users get help to keep cool with damp towels, ice cream, and fluid replacement. Even people with home care services receive the same help. But Sonny Bergmark also urges to check on their older relatives.
Make sure they have a fan at home, that there are functioning curtains so you can draw them, and such things. Such things must be taken care of oneself.
