In case you missed it, catch up on the previous entries in our series detailing the design and operation of Healthcare facilities and why backup power is crucial for modern and fully-optimized operations.
In the realm of healthcare, where the well-being of patients is at the core of every decision. Thus, the role of emergency power cannot be overstated.
Power outages can harm patients, ruin medicines, and damage research samples. Thus, the importance of backup power in healthcare facilities is clear. The right backup power solution serves as a lifeline during emergencies. Ensuring continuous operations while also preserving patient safety.
Today, we'll answer the essential questions that healthcare architects and electrical engineers must ask when designing medical facilities.
The Vital Role of Backup Power in Healthcare Facilities
In healthcare settings the stakes are high every day. Because every second matters, a continuous and reliable power supply is a necessity. Backup power sources need to be powerful enough to cover everything like:
- Life-critical equipment,
- Llife support systems
- Diagnostic devices
- Cold storage appliances
- And More
Additional consideration needs to be given to voltage fluctuations. Full outages are not the only scenario where medical equipment stops working. Even a temporary "brownout" can put patient lives at risk. If voltages drop enough it, critical appliances will similarly stop functioning.
However, unlike during a full outage other less important ones may continue working. The resulting confusion will delay a proper power response from staff. This puts patients at huge risk.
and while fuel-powered generators can run for a long time, they often don't work when low voltages are detected. They only engage when there is a complete power loss.
Usually, a battery-powered UPS system is connected to both the utility power and the appliance directly. This allows it to detect voltage constantly and provide instantaneous power during dips. In addition, they condition the power even when they are not in use. So, imaging equipment and other sensitive appliances get stable and clean power signals.
Safeguarding Biomedical Materials: A Critical Imperative
Beyond ensuring the continuous operation of critical care equipment, facilities must also consider the protection of cold storage inventory. These invaluable resources include vaccines, blood products, and research samples. All of these rely on consistent temperature control to work effectively. So by extension these all rely on consistent
Any disruption in power could lead to spoilage or degradation due to temperature excursions. This renders them unfit to test or distribute, impeding both research and patient care.
Emergency power solutions play a pivotal role in safeguarding these biomedical materials. By ensuring uninterrupted power to refrigeration units and other storage systems, potency is maintained.
The Human Factor: Training and Protocols
Even the most robust emergency power systems require human oversight and adherence to protocols. Healthcare facilities must ensure that staff members receive proper training on emergency response procedures, including power outage protocols and safe shutdown measures.
Conducting regular drills and simulations helps staff familiarize themselves with emergency power procedures and ensures a swift and coordinated response during real emergencies.
Conclusion
In the high-stakes world of healthcare, resilience through backup power is non-negotiable. By considering the critical role of backup power and safeguarding sensitive biomedical materials, healthcare professionals can design facilities that prioritize patient care, preserve invaluable resources, and support medical advancements.
Once the power goes out, the clock starts.
Battery backup systems offer instant and automatic power for both medical equipment and laboratory appliances alike. No staff needs to be on-site to monitor or start the generator. Valuable samples and inventory will stay safe without any extra effort.
Their shape is vertical like a cabinet, and their batteries don't leak. This means they can fit into small spaces and be positioned in any way. Meaning now matter how crowded your vaccine or sample room is, you can ensure you'll be protected.
Plus, if your lab or storage room is truly tight on space, a hardwired backup power unit can instantly supply remote power to your appliance. It does so via the outlet its already plugged into.
No matter what system you choose, it will protect your biomedical and chemical samples from power loss. It guarantees a smooth switch from utility power to backup power, avoiding temperature excursions.
And for Facilities who perform outpatient operations, battery power instantly engages, keeping your operations going with zero downtime due to their advanced battery technology.
Even better, is that battery generators can be outfitted with as much power as you want. So system’s can be designed with enough power to protect a facility’s inventory:
- Overnight
- All day
- Over a weekend
- Or even for a whole week.
So, to protect your facility from tens of thousands of dollars in lost inventory speak to a Medi-Products battery backup expert.
They’ll help design you a system that both meets your power needs and will fit inside your facility—for a much lower cost than what your vaccines are worth. So a backup power system pays for itself the first time your power goes out.
Designing a system for you is as easy as taking a picture of your appliance’s nameplate, and a photo of the room where it’s in.
Then, you just email both photos to our Product experts, and we’ll provide you with multiple options for backup power protection.
At Mediproducts, we provide you with all the help you need to keep up with NFPA 99 changes, including all relevant local and regional standards. If you have questions about meeting NFPA requirements for your emergency and electrical power systems, contact us. We will be happy to answer all of your questions.
For more information contact: 1.800.7653237
Read the next blog in our series on backup power when designing healthcare facilities here.
