California blackouts shine light on healthcare system's vulnerability

Healthcare today is built on the assumption of steady power


A survey during a recent power outage in California revealed that only 44 percent of the state’s community health centers have a back-up energy source, according to an article on the Direct Relief website.

Even clinics that had back-up generators found they didn’t provide enough power to operate all their systems. 

Modern healthcare is almost entirely dependent on availability of electricity. For instance, electronic health records means little or no patient health information may be available if local power or data transmission fail.

Plus, 97 percent of health centers have medications on site requiring refrigeration. 

Read the article.



October 25, 2019


Topic Area: Energy and Power


Recent Posts

Cleanliness in Hospitals: Clinical Priority and Community Perception

EVS managers and communities value cleanliness for complementary reasons: managers for safety and compliance, communities for trust and comfort.


Dana-Farber Receives $50M Gift for Planned Cancer Hospital

A $50 million grant from the Yawkey Foundation will support construction of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s planned 450,000-square-foot cancer hospital.


Clarinda Regional Health Center Reports Data Security Incident

On or around December 15, 2025, Clarinda learned that certain data within its network may have been accessed without authorization.


Gaps in Nurses' Environmental Cleaning Knowledge Grow Amid Rising EVS Pressures

Environmental cleaning is crucial in preventing HAIs, but when the responsibility falls to those outside of EVS teams, problems arise. 


Ground Broken on the Southern Nevada Forensic Facility

Construction on the new secure forensic psychiatric hospital is expected to be completed in 2029.


 
 


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.

 
 
 
 

Healthcare Facilities Today membership includes free email newsletters from our facility-industry brands.

Facebook   Twitter   LinkedIn   Posts

Copyright © 2023 TradePress. All rights reserved.