This article from the Chemiemuseum Basel explores the profound impact of the 1918-1919 Spanish Flu pandemic on nursing and medical personnel in the Basel region. It highlights the extremely high risk of infection and mortality faced by caregivers. The text explains that most patient care occurred at home, with wealthier families hiring private nurses, leading to a severe shortage of available professionals. In response, organizations like the Swiss Red Cross and the Swiss Nursing Association mediated the placement of assistants and provided training courses. The article also delves into the contemporary medical knowledge, citing a 1915 nursing textbook that details the recognized symptoms, the dangers of secondary complications like pneumonia, and the critical importance of patient observation. Key nursing practices focused on basic infection control and identifying specific warning signs, such as cyanosis and changes in facial appearance, to assess a patient's deteriorating condition.
The Impact of the 1918 Spanish Flu on Nursing Staff
High Risk for Caregivers: Nursing and medical personnel were heavily affected by the Spanish Flu pandemic, facing a significant risk of infection and death while treating patients.
Home-Based Care: The majority of individuals who fell ill were cared for at home by family. Hospitals were reserved for those with severe complications or without relatives. Families who could afford it hired private nurses for in-home, round-the-clock care.
Severe Staffing Shortages: The demand for nurses far exceeded the available supply during the pandemic. This shortage led to the widespread use of assistants and members of the Samaritan associations (SamariterInnen) to fill the gap.
Organizational Support: The Swiss Red Cross (SRK) and the Swiss Nursing Association (today's SBK) played a crucial role by running contact points to place caregivers with families and organizing courses on home nursing for flu patients.
Contemporary Medical Understanding: A 1915 nursing textbook described the flu as beginning with weakness and high fever, followed by respiratory symptoms. It stressed that the real danger lay in complications such as heart failure, pneumonia, sepsis, and neurological issues, which could lead to rapid death.
Key Nursing Priorities: Nurses were trained in two critical areas:
Infection Control: The primary advice was for caregivers to avoid being coughed or sneezed on by patients.
Patient Observation: Meticulous observation was essential. Nurses were taught to recognize dangerous signs of deterioration, including a swollen, reddish, or bluish (cyanotic) face, listless gaze, glassy eyes, and cold sweat.