The Effects of Critical Faults at Hospitals and How to Fix Them

A seamless flow of electricity is crucial in hospitals. Medical equipment, life-support systems and climate control units rely on consistent power to function properly. Any disruption, especially those caused by electrical faults, can have severe consequences on daily hospital operations, patient care, and even life-saving devices. As hospitals depend more on advanced technologies and automation, the stakes for maintaining power reliability continue to rise.

Electrical faults can be subtle or catastrophic, and both require swift action. Let’s explore the potential effects of these faults in a hospital setting and how modern diagnostic tools and proactive maintenance strategies can help mitigate these risks to ensure patient safety and operational efficiency.

What Are the Risks of Critical Electrical Faults in Hospitals?

Critical electrical faults in hospitals can be caused by various factors, including overloaded circuits, equipment malfunctions, and improper maintenance. Some of the most common faults include:

Short circuits can cause immediate power loss and potentially damage sensitive medical equipment, such as ventilators, MRI machines and monitors.

Ground faults can result in dangerous electric shocks or fires, putting staff and patients at risk. Even a minor ground fault can result in intermittent equipment failures, leading to diagnostic inaccuracies or delayed treatments.

Overvoltage/undervoltage issues can damage medical devices or force them to operate inefficiently. In extreme cases, these fluctuations can cause equipment failures, putting patients at risk if critical devices like infusion pumps or dialysis machines stop working.

Electrical arcing can happen when there’s an improper connection between conductors, leading to sparks or even fires. Hospitals, filled with flammable materials such as oxygen, are particularly vulnerable to the risks of electrical arcing.

These electrical faults can trigger a cascade of failures, leading to shutdowns in operating rooms, intensive care units, and emergency departments. For patients relying on continuous care, a brief lapse in power could be life-threatening. Moreover, disruptions in HVAC systems could lead to unsafe temperature conditions or compromised air quality, which is crucial for infection control.

What Are the Consequences of Electrical Faults at Hospitals?

Patient Safety

The most severe consequence of an electrical fault is the direct risk to patient safety. Life-support systems, diagnostic tools, and critical monitoring devices can all fail during electrical disturbances, leaving patients vulnerable. A malfunctioning defibrillator, for example, could delay treatment in emergency situations, putting patients' lives in jeopardy.

Operational Downtime

Electrical failures can lead to entire wards or departments going offline. In operating rooms, power interruptions can lead to delays or cancellations of critical procedures. This not only impacts patient outcomes but also disrupts the hospital’s daily schedule, straining resources.

Damage to Equipment

Modern hospitals house millions of dollars worth of advanced medical equipment. Electrical faults, if not addressed promptly, can damage this equipment beyond repair, resulting in costly replacements and repairs.

Compliance Violations

Hospitals must adhere to strict regulations regarding their electrical infrastructure. An electrical fault that compromises patient safety can result in fines or penalties from health agencies.

What Can You Do to Prevent Critical Electrical Faults?

Preventing critical electrical faults requires proactive measures and robust maintenance systems. Hospitals should invest in the following solutions:

Routine Electrical Inspections

Regular inspections of hospital infrastructure can detect and resolve problems before they escalate. Periodic testing of backup generators, circuit breakers, and power distribution units ensures that these systems remain in peak condition.

Electrical Signature Analysis (ESA)

ESA is an advanced diagnostic tool that identifies electrical faults by analyzing current and voltage waveforms. It can detect issues like motor degradation, current imbalances, and voltage sags before they lead to system failures.

Predictive Maintenance

Utilizing technologies such as ESA in combination with predictive maintenance tools like InsiteAI allow hospitals to identify potential faults and schedule repairs proactively. This approach can prevent unexpected equipment breakdowns and extend the lifespan of critical systems.

Real-time Monitoring Systems

Real-time monitoring provides constant oversight of a hospital’s electrical infrastructure. Systems that track power quality, voltage, and current can instantly alert maintenance teams to any anomalies, reducing response times and preventing faults from escalating.

How Volta Insite Detects Critical Faults at Hospitals in Real-Time

Volta Insite’s first deployment in a hospital setting involved monitoring an air handling unit on a Saturday night during a downtime period. Almost immediately after setting up the node, significant current imbalance was detected. A handheld meter confirmed the imbalance was real, though surprisingly, no fault appeared on the VFD feeding the motor.

Upon further inspection, it was discovered that one of the motor's terminals was grounded and arcing, which could have led to a fire. By deploying real-time monitoring, the issue was detected and resolved before it could cause significant damage, showcasing the value of Volta Insite's real-time diagnostics in protecting both the hospital and its patients.

Resources:

Volta Insite's Hospital Deployment: Detecting Critical Faults in Real Time