Salzburg hospital upgrades facade to reduce ward heat

A renovated facade is expected to lower temperatures in the Surgery West wards at Salzburg University Hospital, where rooms have reached 40C, ORF reported. The 25-year-old building section was thermally upgraded for 2.6 million euros.

The work included installing automatic sunshades and triple-glazed windows. Staff who had been particularly affected by heat behind the large glass facade reported noticeable relief during this summer’s hot weather.

Damaris Kain, a qualified nurse who has worked in Surgery West for 22 years, said she expected temperatures in the rooms to fall by three to five degrees and anticipated a clear improvement next year.

Salzburg state health councillor Daniela Gutschi said the measures were necessary. The building was constructed in 2001 without shading, and temperatures of up to 40C had been recorded in summer.