Journal Article

Solving Power Outages in Healthcare Facilities: Algorithmisation and Assessment of Preparedness

Hromada, Martin, Dzermansky, Martin, Vichova, Katerina, Snopek, Lukas, Pekaj, Robert

2023

Overview

Power outages present a significant threat to all of humanity. However, elements of critical infrastructure are most affected by this event. Among other things, healthcare facilities can be considered critical infrastructure. They are the backbone for saving lives. However, even these medical facilities can be endangered. The primary aim of this paper is to design an algorithm to assess healthcare facilities to solve power outages. Several inputs are considered for the evaluation of healthcare facilities. Based on these inputs, we could gain several outputs, such as object priority, preparedness of the healthcare facility, missing aggregate capacity and fuel stocks. Calculations to obtain this information are available in this article. This algorithm follows up the methodology for the categorisation and prioritisation of objects necessary for the resumption of electricity supply after a blackout. We conclude that only 15% of the surveyed healthcare facilities are prepared for a power outage.

• Publisher: MDPI AG
• Subject: Blackouts / Communication / Communications networks / Consumption / Disasters / Electricity / Emergency management / Energy industry / Energy use / Health facilities / Health services / healthcare / Infrastructure / Power failure / power outage / preparedness / Prevention / Safety and security measures / Society / Water mains / Water supply