Mains Electricity Failure - Guidelines for Crises in Anaesthesia

Unexpected total power failure is rare and unpredictable. Ability to safely deliver and maintain anaesthesia is immediately compromised. 



❶ Call for help – extra staff to monitor patient and source additional equipment.

❷ Liaise with local coordinator to activate appropriate local plan (Box A):

  • If immediate evacuation necessary → 4-3

❸ Get additional light into theatre (Box B).

❹ Ensure ventilation continues:

  • Manual ventilation if required.

  • Consider moving to spontaneous ventilation.

  • Maintain anaesthesia.

❺ Check the pulse and blood pressure manually if monitors have failed.

❻ Check mains oxygen supply intact. If failed → 4-1

❼ Unplug unnecessary equipment. Use correct socket for essential equipment (Box C).

❽ Assess reliability of power supply, duration of surgery and patient condition:

  • Consider stopping surgery immediately.

  • Consider continuing surgery until patient is stable and wound is closed (may be temporary closure).

  • Consider evacuation to theatre with intact mains supply → 4-3

❾ Prepare recovery facilities. Consider theatres, recovery, ICU.



By Association of Anaesthetists @ https://twitter.com/AAGBI

Quick Reference Handbook - Guidelines for crises in anaesthesia 



#PowerSupply #Electricity #Failure #Anesthesiology #Anesthesia #Intraoperative #Checklist #Diagnosis #Management #Workup