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Original poster

Hospital staff - coping with heat and PPE?

31 replies

toohot200 · 13/08/2020 16:48

Because we're not!! Bloody baking and the wards are over 30 degrees. Not allowed fans (coz of covid), masks at all times so not drinking enough, there's no respite even in the offices etc, wearing plastic aprons is just the icing on the sweaty cake 🥵.

Seriously though, I'm sick of the necessary rules being imposed but no mitigating options to help manage the situation. 2 staff members in my hospital fainted today, 1 has got quite a serious concussion from hitting her head. Both from over heating. Bring the rain.

OP posts:
User56770987 · 13/08/2020 22:56

Sounds horrendous. I'm going back to work soon (clinical /full ppe) and dreading this very thing.

Dottydoodoo · 13/08/2020 23:50

I hear you! I worked on Monday and it was ridiculous. 40 degrees in the bays with no fans allowed because of Covid. I started feeling unwell by 6pm and have felt nauseous and headachy and just completely drained until today where I felt slightly better. It’s hideous. Site team suggested wet wipes from the fridge Hmm really hoping it has cooled a bit by the time I am back.

Original poster
toohot200 · 14/08/2020 06:46

It's bloody horrible isn't it. Even if the heat breaks a bit with the rain, it'll still be really really hot on the ward - because it always is!

OP posts:
askmehowiknow · 14/08/2020 06:56

I've felt really quite ill from exhaustion all this week when I've got home. Sweating a lot at work but little time to drink. My skin is reacting to the masks too. Miserable.

yawnsvillex · 14/08/2020 07:21

This is what I don't understand. As you say because of the necessary "Covid risks" other risks are being missed.

Take the beach for example, they are still allowing 100's of cars and people in but because of SD life guard can't properly manage swimmers. Let's not spread Covid but you're ok to drown.

Another example, swimming pool changing rooms. Now the vast majority are mixed, no care for the risk of perverts taking advantage. Let's not spread Covid but you're ok to get assaulted.

The heat and sun this week, all children in holiday camp have to stay outside ... in this sweltering heat, DC come home with heat stroke and vomiting! Let's not spread Covid but you're ok to get bad heat stroke.

I'm baffled at the blind following of guidelines and nobody actually applying any common sense.

Hoping the cool weather is on its way, especially for you @toohot200

SpeedofaSloth · 14/08/2020 07:24

No portable air con units? We have them, approved by Microbiology.
I agree there is a balance of risk here.

HarperLight · 14/08/2020 07:29

I have no advice.. I went to see my midwife the other day and she was in mask, plastic gown and gloves and remained her usual happy, chatty positive self and there's me in a mask for 20 minutes on the verge of a complete breakdown. I honestly don't know how you all do it.. It must be so awful.
But thank you so much for all your hard work and perseverance to be there for us all and keep us safe! You genuinely are hero's! X

mosscarpet · 14/08/2020 07:43

thankfully cooler here today, but it has been grim. I was sat in a room with a patient the other day for about an hour, mask, gloves, plastic apron(think being wrapped in cling film!!). It was about 30 degrees. I could feel the sweat running down by back and chest. It was horrible. Left a lovely sweat patch on the plastic chair when I stood up Blush

askmehowiknow · 14/08/2020 07:51

@mosscarpet

thankfully cooler here today, but it has been grim. I was sat in a room with a patient the other day for about an hour, mask, gloves, plastic apron(think being wrapped in cling film!!). It was about 30 degrees. I could feel the sweat running down by back and chest. It was horrible. Left a lovely sweat patch on the plastic chair when I stood up Blush
I've had sweat on my top when I've removed my apron. So embarrassing Blush
mosscarpet · 14/08/2020 07:54

askme me too. It is really embarrassing, but I try to tell myself it is just my body working really well to try to stop me overheating!! and also remind myself lots of us are facing similar. roll on the winter!!

peridito · 14/08/2020 08:06

GlitterballStarGlitterball FlowersFlowersGlitterballStarGlitterball

heroes all of you ,my heartfelt thanks and appreciation.

crosser62 · 14/08/2020 08:16

We are fit testing yet ANOTHER fecking mask in our trust in a tiny sweltering room with one window that only partially opens.
The poor buggers have to strap a mask on then we stick a plastic hood over their heads and spray sweet stuff at them!
It’s like torture.
And don’t get me started on being made to do this fit testing, my huge workload is insignificant and doesn’t matter apparently. Me & my colleagues have been told that it is not an option, we have to do it, not just for our department, but the whole Trust.
So COVID continues to disrupt essential work. Management continue to screw us over.

askmehowiknow · 14/08/2020 08:19

The fit test is hilariously awful!

Then everyone gets the same size and these are never available Grin

Original poster
toohot200 · 14/08/2020 09:10

@askmehowiknow

I've felt really quite ill from exhaustion all this week when I've got home. Sweating a lot at work but little time to drink. My skin is reacting to the masks too. Miserable.
Me too.

I've had a constant headache and not sleeping anyway. Feeling quite faint and really not doing a very good job. My skin is awful as well.

No AC units here - old manky hospital with no budget 🙄

OP posts:
queenstownlovin · 14/08/2020 09:10

Yep. As if maternity wards aren't hot enough already!! Plus 30 degree heat, plus PPE.

I thought I was going to faint. The feeling of being so trapped and not being able to get cool air in your mask is horrible. The plastic aprons make it all so much worse.

askmehowiknow · 14/08/2020 09:28

@queenstownlovin

Yep. As if maternity wards aren't hot enough already!! Plus 30 degree heat, plus PPE.

I thought I was going to faint. The feeling of being so trapped and not being able to get cool air in your mask is horrible. The plastic aprons make it all so much worse.

It's like deciding to wear a bun bag to the beach Angry
askmehowiknow · 14/08/2020 09:29

Bin bag

yawnsvillex · 14/08/2020 09:57

@crosser62 my god is that for real???

askmehowiknow · 14/08/2020 10:14

[quote yawnsvillex]@crosser62 my god is that for real???[/quote]
It's true! They put your head in a bag and 'gas' you with bitter smelling stuff. It's to test the fit of your respirator mask

crosser62 · 14/08/2020 17:07

Yup, true.

crosser62 · 14/08/2020 17:10

100 staff in my department, thousands in the rest of the hospital, about 20 minutes each for a plastic hood on their head to fit test.

Then when they run out if that mask, we will have to do the whole thing again on the next mask.
This will be the 3rd time in 6 months that we have had to do this.

SpeedofaSloth · 14/08/2020 19:36

No AC units here - old manky hospital with no budget 🙄

Same here, but our Head of Nursing insisted that Estates get some portable units in because of covid PPE and the heatwave.

SpeedofaSloth · 14/08/2020 19:36

Sorry, bold fail, meant to quote.

Kitcat122 · 14/08/2020 19:48

You guys are amazing. I hope you know how much we appreciate you 😍

justasking111 · 14/08/2020 21:19

Went to fetch DS last night from the restaurant, pot washing, the staff in the kitchen were wet with sweat right through their clothes, DS said he dranks pints of water all day but could not face food. That was over 30c, I do not know how you do it day after day.

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