Melton Smith, a registered nurse at UCSF's Medical Center, expressed his frustration about the uncomfortably high temperatures on certain floors, where there is no air conditioning. He stated, "Right now, it is so miserably hot on our floor. It is 95-100 degrees and we are taking care of extremely ill patients. My anger level is up to here. I've been dealing with this for years and I don't know what else to do. I'm sick of it and we're all sick of it."
Sharon Dopak, a fellow nurse and union representative, highlighted the impact of the heat on both staff and patients, stating, "Not only is it difficult for us, but especially for patients that are trying to get better." She added that adequate air conditioning is a basic necessity, especially in a top hospital. Another nurse remarked on the challenges of performing tasks under such conditions, saying, "I can't even put on my gloves to do the work that I need to do to take care of my patients because my palms are sweating from the heat."
Nurses at UCSF's Medical Center described the extreme discomfort they experience due to the high temperatures. One nurse remarked on the inability to work effectively, saying, "Nurses are turning patients in the room and sweat is getting in their eyes because it's just work and it's uncomfortable." This reinforces the critical need for climate control to ensure both staff comfort and patient safety.
Although UCSF leadership acknowledged the temperature issues and expressed regret over the discomfort experienced by staff, employees feel that improvements have not yet been sufficient. CEO's response to Melton's complaint included a commitment to continue investing in cooling solutions, stating, "We've made substantial investments in cooling over the last decade and will continue to do so," but staff remain hopeful rather than fully reassured.
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