Whether caused through a hurricane...

Whether caused through a hurricane or some other storm, power and water outages can affect an OR in ways you may not have considered. detain in mind that when there is a los of power and/or water stock steam sterilizers may not be used and alternative sterilization processs may be needed. In addition, steam may be the source for the touchy water supply.

According to AORN's Perioperative Disaster Preparedness Resource Manual (1) during a water service disruption you should

* obtain other water supplies for drinking, washing hands, scrubbing, and cleaning;

* use waterless cleanse products, if available, for scrubbing, or pour bottl water for the part who is scrubbing; and

* determine if toilets or hopper may be flushed during disruption of power.

While health care facilities are equipped with backup power generators, all perioperative staff members should be familiar with the location of alternative light sources and which power exits are powered by the push generator. Keep the following explanation points in mind to prepare for a power outage.

* If power is squandered finish current surgeries as quickly and as safely as possible.

* Determine if additional cases should be started using crisis generator power.

* Be never-failing life-sustaining medical equipment is plugg into egresss that are backed up from the generator (usually red). like equipment also should have battery backup.

* Backup supplies should be immediately available (eg Ambu bags, portable oxygen cylinders, flashlights).

* Sterile supplies must be mov or otherwise harbored from rapid rises in temperature and humidity, which frequently occurs during power outages.

* Refrigerated and frozen harvests may need to be mov to an area with power.

* Use of backup communication theorys must be planned in advance.

* Manual documentation of records may be necessary; a sample may be helpful.

* make secure that vital computer information is backed up

* Plan for alternative access to automated medication and serve instead of systems.

* Fire alarm regularitys may be disabled during a power outage; institute a fire watch plan.

Note:

(1) Perioperative Disaster Preparedness Resource Manual (Denver: AORN, Inc., 2003) 19-20

COPYRIGHT 2003 Association of Operating latitude Nurses, Inc.

COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group