Heatwaves impact healthcare system in Finland, warns chief physician in South Savo

Heatwaves are persisting across much of Finland, significantly impacting the healthcare system, according to Janne Kuusela, the chief physician for emergency services in South Savo. While individual hot days may not lead to spikes in patient visits, prolonged periods of heat do affect health services.

The heat can lead to overheated homes and insufficient fluid intake, resulting in dehydration. Dehydration may cause dizziness, which in turn increases the risk of falls and accidents. Elderly individuals are particularly vulnerable during heatwaves, as their bodies have a diminished capacity to handle disturbances, leading to more severe imbalances, such as dehydration.

For middle-aged and younger individuals, heat-related issues are often associated with substance use, mental health challenges, or heart rhythm disturbances. Kuusela emphasizes the importance of monitoring urine color as an indicator of hydration; pale yellow urine suggests proper hydration, while darker urine is a sign of dehydration.

Hospitals are experiencing similar challenges as other buildings during heatwaves. Maintaining suitable indoor temperatures and humidity levels for air conditioning systems can be especially taxing. However, heatwaves do not directly overwhelm emergency departments; rather, the real issue is the inadequate number of hospital beds available, which hampers the ability to transfer patients from emergency care to inpatient treatment.