Hospital generator failure following earthquake
Jonathan Hunt
risks.org at huntdesign.co.nz
Tue Apr 17 03:50:08 PDT 2012
A report in the Lancet by Michael Ardagh et al. describes the initial
health-system response to the earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand, in
February 2011, with a focus on the Christchurch Hospital emergency
department. While the response is assessed as effective, the report notes
"Power was lost immediately. Within seconds, six diesel-fueled generators
activated to provide power to electrical outlets designated as essential
services. However, the severe shaking disturbed sump sludge within the
diesel tanks. Consequently during subsequent hours, a generator failed
several times, leaving the emergency department clinical areas, ICU, blood
bank, radiology department, and other areas with no power."
Under Lessons learned, the report states, "The back-up generator diesel
tanks have since been drained and cleaned."
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(12)60313-4/fulltext (registration required)
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