I've not experienced a power failure since I became a doctor. Though I had a rather big earthquake 7, 8 years ago in Matsuyama City, a blackout didn't occur at that time. However, if a blackout occurred, what's going to happen to us?
Patients on a respirator would be cut off from their air supply. Sputum wouldn't be drawn. If a surgery was going on in the operation room, the patient and the staff would become isolated in the dark room. The operation room has no windows to prevent contamination. Needless to add, a lot of operating gadgets like monitors, anesthesia apparatuses and cautery knives (electric scalpel) wouldn't work. Just at the time the blackout occurred, if we were doing something difficult and fine in a deeper spot in the body, the patient would be put in a serious condition.
My hospital is equipped with an emergency generator for rainy days. When the commercial electric supply stops, this generator is supposed to start automatically and we can use electricity for a few more hours.
Today the inspection of this generator was done and it proved to be perfect. It was OK, but after the inspection I couldn't get on the internet with my PC. I wanted to call the mechanical staff and get it fixed, but it was on Saturday evening and I thought they surely were enjoying their day-offs and made up my mind to put up with a no-internet night. I was afraid that I would feel bored because I am addicted to the internet, but I could read a few books that I stopped reading on the way. It was relaxing. It's good to spend such a night for a change.
(Vocabulary)
power failure / blackout 停電
Needless to add, 言うまでもなく
cautery knife / electric(al) scalpel 電気メス
uninterruptible power source 無停電電源
outlet コンセント
get on the internet インターネットに繋がる
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