Historically, a prevailing argument against the use of isolated power systems (IPS) in operating rooms is the alleged cost differential between an IPS and a grounded power system (GPS). To investigate the validity of this concern, a cost study was recently completed by an independent engineer familiar with hospital designs for both IPS and GPS with and without GFCI protection.
The study was done in such a way as to replicate the design and costing for a real-world installation such as wire and conduit types, sizes, lengths, labor rates, etc. The project was drawn and sent to an electrical contractor who obtained bids from channel distributors as if the project were in-fact an actual build.
The study found that the cost between either a GPS or GPS with GFCI versus an IPS was a difference of less than 4% of the overall cost of building each operating room. Considering that more electrical equipment is being used in OR’s than ever before, the likelihood of electrical shock continues to increase. Less than a 4% cost differential is negligible in the pursuit of keeping patients and clinicians safe by using the best electrical safety methodologies available (IPS) and should never be considered as a viable justification to remove IPS from an OR project for financial reasons.
A white paper based on this study will be released and available for download after our August 26th Lounge & Learn on the same topic.