Climate catastrophe in Rio Grande do Sul: impact on sterile processing departments

Abstract

Objective: To report the experience of nurses in sterile processing departments in three large hospitals in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil during a climate catastrophe. Methods: Experience report of nurses working in sterile processing departments regarding contingency measures for the operation of three class II sterile processing departments, designated institutions A, B and C, in Southern Brazil, during a climate catastrophe. Results: The three institutions adopted contingency measures to mitigate the impacts of the climate disaster. The activities of the hospitals remained restricted, with one of them temporarily closing. Power generators were used, and water supply and health product processing were outsourced. To ensure the well-being of employees, different working hours and transportation were adopted. All institutions mapped their employees carrying out solidarity actions. Conclusion: Similarities and differences were observed in the ways of managing three sterile processing departments under the deleterious effects caused by the climate catastrophe. It was evident that the three institutions shared a commitment to humanized care for personnel and safety, maintaining rigorous control standards to ensure excellence in service.