Power Outage Exposes Hospital Generator Vulnerabilities: Are We Prepared for the Next Crisis?

Are Hospitals Ready for Energy Crises?

The functionality of hospitals during energy crises is increasingly under scrutiny. Recent events highlighted that some hospitals struggled to maintain operations during a blackout. For example, at the Hospital da Guarda, the generator failed to start immediately, while the Maternidade Alfredo da Costa could only sustain operations for four to five hours. In response, Health Minister Ana Paula Martins assured that the government is committed to enhancing the energy autonomy of hospitals across the nation.

Varied Responses from Hospitals

The response to the blackout varied significantly among hospitals. According to Xavier Barreto, president of the Portuguese Association of Hospital Administrators, some hospitals have generators capable of lasting over four hours, while others face challenges due to the age and type of their generators. Some hospitals opted to shut down non-emergency services to conserve energy, while others continued full operations.

For instance, at the Santa Maria Hospital in Lisbon, two out of four generators worked continuously, powered by three thousand liters of fuel, ensuring that crucial areas like the operating rooms and intensive care units remained functional. They also activated an emergency plan and suspended scheduled activities to adapt to the situation.

Sufficient Fuel Supply in Some Locations

Similarly, the Hospital Eduardo Santos Silva in Gaia reported sufficient fuel reserves for about two days, ensuring operations would continue even if the blackout persisted. However, they noted that national fuel reserves could pose a risk to ongoing operations.

Challenges Faced by Other Facilities

In contrast, the Maternidade Alfredo da Costa faced a more concerning situation, with a generator only capable of operating for four to five hours. Transporting fuel to the hospital proved challenging, although 201,000 liters of diesel were eventually delivered, allowing them to handle four births during the blackout.

The Hospital da Guarda also experienced difficulties, with a generator failing and services being transferred to another building. Other facilities, such as the Hospital dos Capuchos in Lisbon, also struggled with fuel supply for their generators.

Emergency Measures Implemented

Despite these challenges, the ULS São José reported no critical incidents during the power failure, although non-priority areas had to reduce energy consumption. A crisis office determined that only urgent operating rooms would remain active, leading to the transfer of three patients from Hospital Curry Cabral to Hospital São José as a precaution.

Xavier Barreto emphasized that all hospitals managed to continue functioning during the blackout without adverse effects on patients. Following the incident, Minister Ana Paula Martins confirmed that the government is collaborating with hospitals to improve their energy independence, acknowledging it as a crucial area for development.