Electricity in ICU/CCU plays a vital role in lighting, powering equipment, defibrillation and monitoring.
STANDARDS: * All cardiac protected areas are marked with the appropriate sign.
* Cardiac procedures are only carried out in the specified areas.
* All patients in ICU/CCU will be protected from both macro electrocution and micro electrocution by use of cardiac protected wiring (see ASA 2500 - 1995)
* All patients having an invasive procedure with risk of micro electrocution e.g. pulmonary artery catheters, temporary pacing wires should have earthing cables attached between equipotential junction (green earth outlets) and the patients bed.
* If electrical equipment is on an IV pole not attached to the bed it also must be earthed to the equipotential junction.
* The ICU power supply is covered by an uninterupted power supply. The power outlets that access this are the green power switch on the right side of each patient column. The ventilator should be plugged into this at all times. No other electrical equipment should be plugged into this power point.
* All other power points are covered by the hospital generator in the event of a power failure. NB: There will be a 20 second delay before the power is restored.
* There is a risk that mobile phones may interfere with the function of sensitive electrical equipment and as such no mobile phones are to be used within the ICU/CCU.
* In the event of a circuit breaker tripping, the electrical equipment protected by the circuit breaker should be removed, the circuit breaker reset and each piece of equipment replaced one at a time. If the circuit breaker retrips, the faulty piece of equipment should be removed and sent for checking by the electrical service dept.

OUTCOMES: Patients undergoing procedures and ongoing treatment in ICU/CCU will be protected from electrocution in both micro and macro forms.