The administrative operation of a major hospital requires the electrical and electronic infrastructure of any major business installation to effectively run its equipment and systems:

• Phones, faxes, voicemail, e-mail, and computer networks
• Electrical service to run office equipment (Computers, copiers, shredders, scanners, printers, wireless communications, etc.)
• Lights, audio visual equipment, and sophisticated electronic filing and data retrieval systems

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Electrical systems in hospitals and health care facilities present unique challenges. In addition to the enormously complex and many-facicited electrical system that powers a hospital through a normal 24 hour period, totally reliable backup systems must be in place to ensure patient safety. A power interruption at a hospital means putting lives at risk. Consider these examples:

• Uninterrupted lighting, and sustained operation of electrically powered instruments and patient monitoring & vital life sustaining equipment doing surgery
• Continuous operation of life support systems in emergency rooms and intensive care units
• 100% reliable emergency generators and back up systems, as little as a three second delay in power recovery can damage sensitive equipment

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Visits to Emergancy Rooms are almost always a result of an unexpected illness or injury. The electrical design and systems for the life and health preserving treatment equipment in a modern ER must work effectively and reliably 24/7. Nearly every electrical support need throughout the rest of the hospital is duplicated in some form in the ER, and sometimes, that need is even more critical.

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Consider the electrical power needs of a Food Service Facility that must be able to prepare and distribute safe and palatable meals and snacks to staff, visitors, and patients (many with specialized dietary needs) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

• Refrigeration
• Large & small appliances for food preparation
• Transportation of prepared food to patient areas
• Cleaning and sterilizing preparation equipment and used table service
• A pleasant and healthy cafeteria environment

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Patients in Intensive Care or Critical Care Units are relying on the efficient monitoring of their vital signs and often on life support systems to provide them with the best chance for recovery. Every piece of equipment in these critical units needs reliable electrical power and a dependable back-up system.

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It is becoming more common to find Medical Office Buildings connected to major hospitals. The proximity serves the best interests of both the patients and the providers.

A medical office building has electrical power needs beyond those of a typical office building. These buildings often have their own labs and imaging areas. Doctor's offices need medical treatment functions that include maintaining sterile equipment and providing services such as prenatal ultrasound as well as the technology necessary for administrative office functions. All these functions require efficient distribution of uninterrupted power.

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The modern operating room is a technical and electronic marvel.

• Patients are put on respirators and artificial heart machines to permit surgeons to conduct transplant surgeries.
• Modern surgical techniques require computers, lasers, imaging, and monitors for all types of vital funtions
• A sterile environment and immediate access to functioning emergancy equipment are required to insure patient health and safety

In the midst of a surgical procedure, a sudden power failure is UNACCEPTABLE.

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Patient Rooms in modern hospitals have a dual purpose. They are wired to support any and all equipment that is required for a patients recovery, including response to an emergancy. In addition, they require various electrical equipment that adds to a patient's comfort during a stay. Think about positioning your hospital bed, having a comfortable reading light, watching television or blow drying your hair. A hospital room must serve both personal and medical electrical needs.

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Back to Exploring Hospital Electrical Needs

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Supply Processing and Distribution
SPD is responsible for all of the medical instrumentation and supplies for surgical and patient treatment. Systems must be in place to support these needs. For example:

• Thoroughly cleaned and effectively sterilized instruments and devices
• Resources and processes for decontamination/sterilization
• Inventory control, ordering and tracking of all equipment and supplies
• Communication technology to enable response to special needs and surgical emergencies

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• Physical therapy equipment to help maintain and improve muscle mass and control
• Kidney dialysis equipment
• Administration of radiation therapy for cancer treatment
• Outpatient surgergical suites and recovery rooms
• Lasers and laperscopic equipment
• Generating computerized stress testing results
• EKG and EEG equipment

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The Data Center in a modern hospital connects to every corner of the building and resources reyond. It provides the network that allows monitoring and communication between departments, personnel, patients, support systems, and outside resources. It probably has more phone lines and data lines than most small towns.The security and integrity of the necessary cabling and systems to support this vast communiation network depends on the skills of the electrical contractor who installs it.

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The World Wide Web has brought new opportunities to the medical field. With the technology available via wireless and Local Area Network communication, medical personnel can access support and information on demand. Consider:

• A radiologist can share x-rays over the internet allowing for consultation with a colleague in another state.
• Medical records can be sent from one treatment facility in the space of a few moments.
• A surgeon can pull up a demeonstration of a procedure to review with an assisting resident just prior to surgery.
• Doctors and nurses can call up lab results and make instant comparisons.
• Information can be entered anywhere, any time, backed up and stored intact.
• Resources and research a always only a few keystrokes away.
• Family members can access complimentary internet terminals that allow them to keep in touch with family, friends or employers via e-mail while spending time in waiting rooms.

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