Preparing for a Hospital Power Outage Before It Happens

As we battle a global health crisis that shows no signs of slowing down, hospital lights must stay on. A consistent power supply is essential to the operations of all medical facilities. Hospital administrators need to ensure that their building has a stable source of emergency power to address major interruptions before they occur.

Pro Circuit, Inc. discusses the significance of emergency power generators in hospitals and other medical facilities. Consider this emergency response plan against a power outage to ensure that your hospital stays operational and keeps patients safe from harm.

What Happens When Hospitals Lose Electrical Power?

Hospital power outages typically occur because of natural disasters, however, hospitals are not immune to technological hazards and human error either.

No matter what the reason for the power outage is, your hospital management staff needs to have a backup plan. Otherwise, it could one or more of the following situations:

Critical Situations for Patients

Electrically-powered machines keep many patients alive when they’re in critical condition. This means that even a few minutes of downtime can lead to a life-or-death situation if a backup generator isn’t ready to accommodate the electrical demands of these life-saving machines.

Even when a backup generator minimizes the length of the power outage, the machines may not easily get back in motion. Thus, it’s important for hospital generators to seamlessly supply electrical power in case of an outage in the main electricity lines.

Disrupted Surgical Procedures

A surgical staff may be able to continue operating amid a power outage if the equipment has sustainable battery backups or they are using tools that aren’t dependent on electrical power.

Some anesthesia machines and ventilators automatically switch to battery power when the main power source fails, but they may only run for an hour or so. Patient monitors, cardiopulmonary bypass machines, electrosurgical units, and other equipment may have limited battery backup or none at all.

Of course, there are also issues with the room lights going out and compromised hospital communications when the power gets cut off. An emergency generator that quickly responds to outages will allow surgeries to continue without a hitch, keeping patients safe.

Damaged Hospital Reputation

The negative outcomes of hospital power outages aren’t always immediately obvious. Instances when a generator fails to provide an emergency power supply could result in a damaged reputation. It can also lead to lawsuits when something goes wrong with a patient’s surgery or recovery.

For example, a hospital power outage may cause machines that keep hearts beating or oxygen flowing to be put on hold for a few, potentially life-threatening, seconds. Patients or their families could file a negligence claim against the hospital’s failure to fulfill their medical obligations to the patient.

It is crucial to be prepared for any disasters that might cause an unexpected power outage. Be certain to invest in high-quality generators that can accommodate the needs of your hospital operations.

What Role Does a Generator Play in Emergency Planning?

Emergency planning is never complete without backup generators that keep hospital systems running in case of power blackouts and fluctuations. Power generators provide an independent electricity source that keeps light switches and major surgical machines going. They also can keep some elevators moving.

Hospitals rely heavily on electricity. Now that the COVID-19 outbreak is keeping hospitals busier than usual, it’s important to have a plan that minimizes the risk power disruptions in your facilities.

Pro Circuit, Inc. provides innovative, custom-built solutions for your emergency power needs. Let’s talk about generator installation and the maintenance services we can offer you. Call us today at (816) 474-9292.