When the number of coronary patients increased rapidly, the Vrina Hospital Hospital in Norrköping was forced to start a brand new department in just under two days - where half the workforce lacked experience in intensive care.
- On Wednesday afternoon we were called to a grand meeting. They told us that we would start a new intensive care unit for patients with covid-19. The first patients would arrive as early as Friday morning, says the nurse Therése Mechlenburg.
In the video above, she talks about the first tough days - which included both worry and hope.
She talks about patients in a respirator who are awake but unable to talk and how it feels to try to comfort and get close when she has to wear a protective mask that buzzes like a vacuum cleaner.
- It doesn't feel so good when you come in and look like a space guy to patients who have a lot of trouble, says Therése Mechlenburg.
But there is also hope. Like when she recently had to get a file and cereal for breakfast for one of the patients.
- When you start eating again. Then you feel better. In fact, some of our patients are beginning to recover.