A sudden loss of electricity in a hospital or outpatient surgical center poses a significant patient safety risk—an issue often overlooked in medical training and research. The technology-intensive environment of the operating room (OR) makes it particularly vulnerable; a power outage can cause lights and critical equipment to fail without warning. Even a brief delay during a critical procedure—while equipment reboots—can be dangerous. Regardless of whether the crisis is brief or prolonged, or whether generators function properly, patients remain at significant risk whenever power is interrupted.

Surgeons may face the loss of electrosurgical units, video display monitors, and suction devices. Anesthesia machines and ventilators may switch to battery power, depending on device and manufacturer specifications. This is why anesthesiologists and providers need to be as prepared to respond to power failures as they are to manage any other intraoperative crisis. Electronic patient monitors, desflurane vaporizers, and end-tidal gas analyzers often lack battery backup. In some cases, operations may need to be aborted altogether, and patients evacuated.

Proactive Measures to Mitigate Risks During Power Failures

To minimize the risk of disaster if a power failure occurs during surgery, consider the following steps:

1. Regular Testing of Backup Systems
   Periodically test your generator or battery backup system, always following the manufacturer’s recommendations. Ensure that the equipment’s transfer switches are in working order. It’s best practice to maintain a log of these tests.
2. Verify Battery-Powered Equipment Functionality
   Ensure that all battery-powered equipment operates on its batteries. This includes patient monitors, portable headlamps, anesthesia systems, defibrillators, and possibly portable suction devices.
3. Monitor Battery Expiration Dates
   Batteries have an expiration date, so ensure they are charged and have been replaced as needed. Expired batteries will not perform during a power outage and can put everyone at risk. Keep a log of each item’s battery expiration date and record whenever batteries are replaced.
4. Inspect Medical Crash Cart
   Prior to surgery, check the medical crash cart to ensure it is fully stocked and ready to be utilized in case of an emergency; this includes an Ambu bag and a Banyan kit with current supplies.
5. Test Exit and Egress Lighting
   Ensure all exit and egress lighting are in working order and properly tested.
6. Ensure Availability of Alternate Lighting Sources
   Have alternate and emergency lighting sources in place.
7. Designate a Staff Member for Communication
   Appoint either yourself or a staff member to have a fully charged cell phone before performing surgery; it can be used as an alternate source of task lighting.

Critical Actions During a Power Failure in Surgery

If a power failure occurs during surgery, take the following steps:

• Assure Adequate Oxygen Delivery
  Ensure the delivery of oxygen to the patient is adequate.
• Assess Anesthesia Equipment Functionality
  Determine whether the anesthesia machine and ventilator are functional, and if so, continue using them.
• Call for Assistance and Locate Alternative Lighting
  Call for help and locate alternative lighting sources (e.g., flashlights, headlamps, cell phones).
• Communicate with Surgical Team
  Communicate with the surgical team to determine patient triage category.
• Prepare for Potential Patient Evacuation
  Prepare for possible patient evacuation.

It’s critically important to have an emergency power plan in place to ensure a patient’s safety before, during, and after surgery. Whether that plan includes a hybrid solution of a generator (to support HVAC and emergency lighting) and battery backup (to support life-saving patient equipment) or a standalone battery backup system, healthcare providers must consider all possible surgical complications and challenges—including a power failure.

Learn More About Battery Backup Power

To answer even more of your questions and find additional solutions to problems that could affect your medical facility or laboratory, check out these other articles from the EverSafe blog and the EverSafe Learning Center