Firefighters respond to care facility power outage

Patients in the ventilator wing dependent on electric ventilator machines were first issue


The Contra Costa County (Calif.) Fire Protection District, an all-risk agency that serves the majority of Contra Costa County in the San Francisco East Bay area, were dispatched to a health healthcare facility during a regional power outage, according to an article on the Fire Engineering website.

The entire facility was without power and the patients in the ventilator wing were dependent on electric ventilator machines. Staff members were using bag valve masks to manually replace the failed ventilators.

Once it was determined that the facility had enough oxygen to last until morning and the ventilator-dependent patients were being manually bagged, the next task was to offer a better, more dependable option for ventilating the 20 patients for the next several hours, the article said.

While the ventilator issues were being addressed, the rescue team and the facility's maintenance supervisor dealt with the facility's backup generator, which was not working. 

Read the article.

 



December 15, 2014


Topic Area: Energy and Power


Recent Posts

Respecting EVS Workers: 19 Minutes Is Not Enough

The infection control problem is time, and it's up to facility managers, EVS directors and infection preventionists to address the problem.


Where are the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Hotspots in Healthcare?

First-year findings from Boston Medical Center show medical waste generates a disproportionate amount of healthcare emissions.


Caravel Autism Health Opens Clinic in Lake Zurich, Illinois

The clinic features colorful, sensory-friendly spaces where children work one-on-one with therapists.


The Future of Healthcare Facility Construction Projects

Brian Cowperthwaite highlights the invisible work that impacts everyone who walks through a healthcare facility.


Ground Broken on Jupiter Medical Center's Second Hospital

The 53,000-square-foot hospital will include 29 inpatient beds, four operating rooms, 24-hour emergency services, a diagnostic laboratory and imaging services.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.