Readiness of Triage: Expanded Capacity for Inflow of Additional Patients in Emergency Wards - Preparedness of emergency rooms increases amidst heatwave concerns
Heatwave Emergencies in Brandenburg: Preparing for Intense Summer Conditions
The extreme heatwaves of summer 2025 have led to an increase in heatwave-related emergencies in the cities of Potsdam and Cottbus, Brandenburg. The Ernst von Bergmann Clinic in Potsdam and the University Clinic in Cottbus are among the healthcare facilities grappling with the surge in patients suffering from heat-related issues.
In Potsdam, the Ernst von Bergmann Clinic has reported an increase in heat-related problems among patients, with a rise in circulatory problems, fainting, heat strokes, and dehydration. To address this, the clinic is paying particular attention to ensuring adequate fluid intake for all patients and has made water dispensers available for outpatients, visitors, and staff. The clinic's intensive care units and operating areas are air-conditioned to maintain consistent temperatures.
Meanwhile, the University Clinic in Cottbus has prepared for an increase in patients with symptoms such as circulatory collapse, dizziness, and headaches. The clinic has advised its patients to drink enough, eat light meals, avoid direct sunlight, and engage in sports in moderation. It has also warned not to underestimate the heat and emphasised the importance of staying hydrated.
The German Weather Service predicts that temperatures will reach 37 degrees by Friday, adding to the strain on the already stretched healthcare system. The clinic leaders in both cities have expressed concern about the impact of climate change, with hotter and drier summers affecting their patients, particularly the elderly.
Michael Oppert, chief physician of the Center for Emergency and Intensive Care Medicine at the Klinikum EvB in Potsdam, stated that climate change is a significant factor in the health issues they are seeing among their patients. He highlighted the need for targeted preparation strategies to cope with the ongoing and future climate-induced heat crises in the region.
In response, emergency rooms in both Potsdam and Cottbus are preparing for an increase in patients with circulatory problems due to the high heat. Key preparation strategies could include capacity expansion and resource allocation, enhanced triage protocols, coordination with firefighting and evacuation services, public health communication, and stockpiling critical medical supplies.
Given the intensity of the 2025 heatwave and its role in causing wildfires and related evacuations in Brandenburg, emergency departments in Potsdam and Cottbus are directly impacted. Proactive and integrated emergency response plans are essential to ensure the healthcare system can effectively cope with the ongoing and future climate-induced heat crises in the region.
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