Planning for a disaster such as a power outage is a necessary but difficult task. Unfortunately, it takes actually living and working through one to discover where the specific gaps and needs really fall. Every second counts and any delay in the resumption of power can have an adverse effect on every department. Here's an example of how one hospital found a way to safeguard power in its laboratory, protecting specimens and eliminating a possible four to 12 second delay in power.

PROBLEM

The Baylor Medical Center at Irving, located in Irving, TX, is a 240-bed hospital and part of the Baylor Health Care system.

One recent Saturday, as I was on call in my office, the hospital was unexpectedly plunged into darkness. We had experienced a total power outage and only one of our two generators had responded. Only the most critical services were receiving power, while other areas in the hospital were left in the dark for varying lengths of time.

Based on that experience, I decided to investigate the instrumentation systems and computer terminals in our main laboratory, as well as talk to staff about what would happen if we experienced another power outage. We realized that loss of power not only cripples the functions of machines and computers, but also affects all the other departments, particularly those relying on a quick turnaround of test results, which play a critical role in patient care.

The most critical systems in our laboratory are the two chemistry analyzers we use to run morning specimens and stats. Both analyzers are connected to generator-supplied receptacles, but it typically takes four to 12 seconds for the generator to supply power. In those few short seconds, a complete batch of testing can be lost. The analyzer is unable to determine how many tests within a given multi-test reagent kit remain and those kits must be discarded. Loss of reagent, time spent by our technician to reprogram the system and delayed test results are a problem for all medical staff members.

We typically run 150 to 200 samples at a time during our morning run, with test results often determining if a patient can be released from the hospital or stepped down in care. If a staff member has to wait an inordinate amount of time for test results before discharging a patient (and those results are not given during the doctor's morning rounds), a patient may have to stay an extra half or full day. The hospital would cover the cost, which could reach tens of thousands of dollars. While our outage did not cause damage to that scale, we determined that the next one might, and we should plan around a worst case scenario.

SOLUTION

We were lucky during this outage. It occurred on a Saturday, when most of our testing had been done. However, we wanted to ensure this could never happen to us again. My biomedical department recommended that we connect a true online uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system to our two analyzers and other pieces of critical equipment.

The biomedical department contacted UPS system manufacturers to explore available products. We needed a system with pure sine-wave output, zero transfer time, a 1000VA capacity, a small foot print and a reasonable cost. The UPS system would be a bridge between utility power and generator power that could keep the analyzer continuously supported and protected.

We reviewed information from several UPS system manufacturers before selecting the SmartOnline SU1000RT2U UPS System from Tripp Lite.

The SmartOnline system features six 15-amp receptacles and a 1000VA/800 watts capacity. The system also includes a communication port, Web card slot for remote management and UPS management software. Each UPS system costs less than $600.

The system was extremely easy to set up and install and required no input from the manufacturer. Upon receiving the units, members of our staff charged the system, and then simply plugged the UPS into the wall receptacles and plugged our equipment into the UPS systems.

RESULTS

Using SmartOnline, our technicians can clearly see the status of incoming power and the operational mode of the UPS system, including battery charge levels. There is an audible alarm that alerts the technicians when the UPS is actively running as it does during monthly generator checks.

With SmartOnline, we are supplied with 100 percent power availability which ensures the continuous productivity of our laboratory. We have eliminated the potential for the four to 12 second delay and have guaranteed that our samples, specimens and results will continue to be delivered in the event of an outage.

Our power outage made me reassess our current power protection needs. In addition to the laboratory, I also realized my office could use an upgrade in its UPS system protection strategy. As our laboratory moves toward the integration of a laboratory information system, the need for and the attention being placed on protecting computers holding critical data becomes more vital. Although power outages in hospitals are rare, the effects can be devastating. The cost of implementing a UPS system is minimal compared to the ability to protect lab samples and effect patient outcomes and staff throughout the hospital.