"It's hot at Brotzu, and we work with ice packs in our pockets": a complaint to Spresal and NAS (National Health Authority).
Nursing Up's official statement after taking temperatures: "Intolerable."Heat emergency was addressed at Businco , but not at Brotzu. Further reports were filed with the ASL's Spresal (workplace safety agency) and the NAS Carabinieri.
Diego Murracino, a trade unionist for Nursing Up and also an RLS (workers' safety representative), has denounced the living conditions in many departments of San Michele (which everyone calls Brotzu).
"After a month of fruitless reports, no effective intervention has been found. Staff and patients are suffering from the heat, with temperatures reaching 32 degrees Celsius," says Murracino, who speaks of "serious inefficiency in the air conditioning systems in the Vascular Surgery ward and in several other departments within the hospital, including Gastroenterology and Orthopedics."
The most critical situation «is found on the eleventh and last floor.
The location of the Vascular Surgery ward means that the department is subject to continuous solar exposure on the roof as well as to solar exposure on the walls."
The complaint sent to the NAS and Spresal reports the temperature data measured during inspections carried out by the RLS on three different dates: June 6, 22, and 27.
Even on this occasion, "despite the aforementioned reports and various promises of resolution, nothing has been done: "We're talking about temperatures measured in the patient rooms and work areas that fluctuate between 28°C and 32°C," Murracino accuses, adding: "The staff's suffering from the excessive heat is visible; some work with ice packs in their uniform pockets, others hold a towel around their necks to absorb the drops of sweat that roll down their heads. These conditions can have negative impacts on the health and even on the healthcare professionals' ability to concentrate and work."
(Unioneonline/E.Fr.)