Heat-related challenges and interventions in hospitals: A future-oriented, qualitative approach to improve nurses’ working conditions

Globally, 2024 was the warmest year on record [1]. In 2023, the second warmest year, people experienced 50 more hot days than would be expected without global warming. That year, heat waves caused 47,000 deaths in Europe. As extreme heat events intensify, Germany faces a growing public health burden. Between 2010 to 2019, 25,000 additional hospital admissions occurred on the hottest 5% of days compared to moderate days. Heat waves thus pose significant challenges to healthcare systems and professionals, with nurses representing the largest group. In addition to the increased workload caused by heat-related patient admissions and care demands, heat waves pose a serious occupational hazard for nurses (e.g. fatigue, headache, dizziness, breathing problems). To address heat-related challenges and nurses’ work stress, inpatient settings must adapt to the intensifying climate crisis. A study by the Ludwig-Maximilian-University (LMU) Medical Center found that hospital nurses feel the least protected from heat compared to those working in nursing homes or outpatient services.