The summer heat has been devastating and life-threatening in the US this year, and it seems like it’s going to be the new normal. Even the scientists who have expected the heat waves to come due to climate change are still shocked at the record-high temperatures those in the US and Europe have been contending with. The heat waves are causing a deluge of patients to be hospitalized — from heat-related illnesses as well as injuries and accidents. According to newly published research, the number of hospitalizations due to heat-related illnesses will double in the next 15 years, rising from 109,000 to 237,000 by 2040.
Although hospitals have cooler temperatures to stave off bacterial growth and keep staff comfortable as they move around from one patient to another, surging patient numbers visiting the ER and being admitted, as well as higher energy demands, can cause temperatures in healthcare facilities to rise. When this happens, nurses need to be ready — not just to assist a larger number of patients, but to survive potentially hotter and more humid temperatures at work while wearing scrubs and personal protective equipment (PPE). This article serves as a nurse survival kit for hot hospital shifts, guiding nurses on what to bring to work to help them keep as cool and as comfortable as possible.
What to Pack: Cooling Gear Every Nurse Needs This Summer
Nurses should consider bringing the following cooling staples to work to combat the devastating high temperatures of the summer season:
- Cooling towels
Being outdoors, even just for a short while in the height of the summer heat, can increase the risk of experiencing heat-related injuries and illnesses. Being exposed to the heat can cause heat stroke, a serious heat-related illness that can cause permanent disability or even death, which can happen in a period of just 10 to 15 minutes.
If you have to walk or commute to get to work or if you’re leaving your shift when it’s still hot out, bring a cooling towel and a tumbler of iced water. To properly use a cooling towel, you must pour cold water on the towel, wring it out so that it’s not dripping wet but still damp, and place it on your nape, shoulders, forehead, head, or any part of your body that needs to be cooled down. It works by helping transfer the heat from your body to the towel and allowing the heat to evaporate into the air. Aside from helping your body lose heat through evaporation, the feeling of having a cold towel on hot skin is also heavenly.
Looking for specific cooling towels to purchase? A writer who has tried several cooling towels that have helped her deal with the heat wave provides great recommendations on some of the best cooling towels for nurses on shift or anyone who has to deal with the hot and humid weather.
2. Personal fan
Whether you’re waiting for the train or sitting at your desk doing some (or a lot) of charting, using a personal portable fan can help facilitate sweat evaporation and lower body temperatures. A portable fan — especially one that works for a long period (the duration of your shift or more!), has great airflow, isn’t too noisy (won’t annoy your fellow nurses), and is light enough to carry in your bag — is a great item to have in your bag and on your desk to help you cool down on hot shifts. Check with your hospital or healthcare facility’s policies if you can use a neck fan while working to help you cool down as you move from one patient to another.
3. Water tumbler
Hotter temperatures require increased hydration, which is why keeping a refillable water tumbler filled with ice-cold water handy can help you keep up with your hydration needs. Not only is hydration vital to combat heat exhaustion and other heat-related conditions by cooling down body temperature, but it’s also crucial for optimal cognitive performance, which is incredibly important when caring for patients in need.
As heat waves and higher temperatures persist, healthcare professionals should keep these cooling essentials with them throughout every shift or whenever they’re outdoors. These helpful tools can help nurses remain cool, healthy, and safe even on the hottest of days.
