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Background and aims <p>Occupational heat stress in healthcare settings is an emerging public health concern, yet evidence on indoor heat exposure and perception in hospitals remains limited. This study assessed perceived occupational heat stress among hospital employees by integrating staff-reported heat perceptions with indoor temperature measurements to identify associations between perceived heat stress, workplace characteristics, preventive behaviors, heat-related knowledge, and indoor thermal conditions.</p> Methods <p>A cross-sectional study was conducted at a large tertiary care hospital in southern Germany. An anonymous online survey collected data on heat perception, heat-related symptoms, work impairment, preventive behaviors, knowledge, training and heat warning practices among hospital employees. Multiple survey items resulted in a perceived occupational heat stress index (POHSI). Indoor air temperature was measured continuously during the summer periods 2024 and 2025 using calibrated sensor loggers placed in staff rooms across the hospital. Associations between POHSI, workplace factors, preventive measures, and environmental conditions were analyzed descriptively and inferentially.</p> Results <p>A total of 681 employees participated. 38.7% of the participants scored high or very high POHSI. Frequently reported symptoms included fatigue, concentration difficulties, and dizziness, accompanied by reduced work performance. Higher POHSIs were observed among physically active staff and clustered spatially in upper floors with elevated indoor temperatures. Lower levels of heat-related knowledge and training were associated with higher POHSIs (ANOVA: F = 15.33, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001; Kruskal–Wallis: χ² = 54.05, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001) with moderate effect sizes (η² ≈ 0.09). While some individual preventive measures were associated with lower POHSI, participants predominantly requested structural and organizational interventions. Subjective heat perceptions corresponded closely with measured indoor temperature patterns.</p> Conclusion <p>Occupational heat stress represents a relevant indoor environmental and occupational health challenge in hospital settings. The combination of subjective and objective indicators enabled the identification of heat-vulnerable work environments and associated workplace, knowledge-related, and environmental factors. The findings further indicate that individual coping strategies alone may be insufficient under sustained indoor heat exposure and support the development of hospital-specific heat prevention and adaptation strategies.</p>

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Occupational heat stress in hospital settings: a combined assessment of staff perceptions and indoor climate to support heat action planning

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月8日

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  • Sophie Theresia Scheidl,
  • Irena Kaspar-Ott,
  • Elke Hertig

摘要

Background and aims

Occupational heat stress in healthcare settings is an emerging public health concern, yet evidence on indoor heat exposure and perception in hospitals remains limited. This study assessed perceived occupational heat stress among hospital employees by integrating staff-reported heat perceptions with indoor temperature measurements to identify associations between perceived heat stress, workplace characteristics, preventive behaviors, heat-related knowledge, and indoor thermal conditions.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted at a large tertiary care hospital in southern Germany. An anonymous online survey collected data on heat perception, heat-related symptoms, work impairment, preventive behaviors, knowledge, training and heat warning practices among hospital employees. Multiple survey items resulted in a perceived occupational heat stress index (POHSI). Indoor air temperature was measured continuously during the summer periods 2024 and 2025 using calibrated sensor loggers placed in staff rooms across the hospital. Associations between POHSI, workplace factors, preventive measures, and environmental conditions were analyzed descriptively and inferentially.

Results

A total of 681 employees participated. 38.7% of the participants scored high or very high POHSI. Frequently reported symptoms included fatigue, concentration difficulties, and dizziness, accompanied by reduced work performance. Higher POHSIs were observed among physically active staff and clustered spatially in upper floors with elevated indoor temperatures. Lower levels of heat-related knowledge and training were associated with higher POHSIs (ANOVA: F = 15.33, p < 0.001; Kruskal–Wallis: χ² = 54.05, p < 0.001) with moderate effect sizes (η² ≈ 0.09). While some individual preventive measures were associated with lower POHSI, participants predominantly requested structural and organizational interventions. Subjective heat perceptions corresponded closely with measured indoor temperature patterns.

Conclusion

Occupational heat stress represents a relevant indoor environmental and occupational health challenge in hospital settings. The combination of subjective and objective indicators enabled the identification of heat-vulnerable work environments and associated workplace, knowledge-related, and environmental factors. The findings further indicate that individual coping strategies alone may be insufficient under sustained indoor heat exposure and support the development of hospital-specific heat prevention and adaptation strategies.