The coronary Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Doctor Peset hospital in Valencia is suffering from unbearable temperatures, reaching 29 degrees Celsius in the coronary patient area and 27 degrees Celsius in the coma patient area. This situation, caused by the insufficient power of the air conditioning system, has led to four nursing professionals fainting in recent days due to heat-related dizziness.
The problem, which dates back to late July, has been reported to the Satse union, which notified the center's management on July 2nd. Due to the lack of a solution, the union has filed a complaint with the regional health inspection authority and the Occupational Risk Prevention and Preventive Medicine service. Patients and their families have also submitted written complaints, with some even purchasing personal fans.
According to union sources, the air conditioning units are operating at 100% capacity, but the system cannot adequately cool the area, as the air output temperature is 19 degrees Celsius when it should be 16 degrees Celsius. Furthermore, renovation work in the emergency department has led to the removal of two air conditioning units, exacerbating the issue. The union claims these conditions compromise the well-being and safety of both patients and staff.
Official sources from the center acknowledge the situation and state that measures are being taken. Eight affected beds are no longer being used, and patients are being relocated to other areas of the ICU. The plan is to use the month of August, when activity typically decreases, to inspect the system and find a definitive solution, whether it's a quick fix or a more complex repair.
The Satse union is calling for "urgent action" and "effective provisional measures" while the problem is being permanently resolved. A nurse from the center commented that "we cannot keep resorting to fanning ourselves as the only option," referring to the heat emitted by medical equipment and the occasional need to wear personal protective equipment (PPE).
