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
