Power solutions for healthcare sector

Schneider Electric has launched two new power solutions for the Australian healthcare sector: an emergency power solution for hospitals and a power distribution system and monitoring solution for operating theatres.

Increasing demand for energy - set to double by 2050 - and the increasing use of renewable energy sources means that the power supply system will become less predictable, Schneider said in a media release. With their increasing reliance on powered devices, modern hospitals will be affected by the availability of reliable power supply.

By automating test procedures, the two power solutions can ensure reliable supply and regulation compliance for hospitals and operating theatres.

Schneider’s automated Emergency Power Supply System (EPSS) test solution is designed to help hospitals ensure their backup power systems comply with all regulations and are ready to operate when needed. It automates and streamlines test procedures while electronically documenting a range of test measurement data points, making it easy to report on emergency power system status as needed.

“Manual testing of emergency power supply systems requires extraordinary staff coordination among facility managers, doctors and nurses, and can cause a host of technical problems if not conducted properly. In fact, incorrect testing procedures can actually make a backup power system less reliable by compromising the components of the system,” said David Gardner, Vice President of Power Business for Schneider Electric in Australia. “Our EPSS Test Solution streamlines the test process and ensures that it is done correctly. And by rendering manual EPSS testing obsolete, it frees up staff to focus on other, more critical duties.”

The power distribution for hospital operating theatres delivers 99.9998% electric power availability (MTBF=290 years), Schneider said, and will ensure patient safety while increasing the efficiency of medical and maintenance personnel. It also prevents electromagnetic disturbances. The solution comprises an integrated, pretested electrical switchboard, uninterruptible power supply and monitoring system. A touch-panel screen in each operating theatre presents environmental conditions, the status of medical gases and visual and audible alarms that alert staff to insulation or electrical faults.

“A hospital can now ensure the safety of its electrical supply and, in turn, the safety of patients, with a fully integrated and reliable system from a single, trusted manufacturer,” said Gardner. “The rich data displays, alarming and event traceability will give hospital administrators confidence that medical personnel will stay focused on their patients, procedures will run smoothly and any problems will be addressed quickly and be fully documented. The solution also represents multiple cost benefits, through infrastructure optimisation and time savings.”

For more details, visit www.schneider-electric.com.