Health centers are holding up with batteries and generators, but non-urgent interventions are canceled.

BarcelonaEssential services have not been spared from the widespread power outage, nor have hospitals and primary care centers (CAP). According to Civil Protection sources, most healthcare centers will be able to withstand the power outage for at least 24 hours thanks to the generators being coordinated by the Medical Emergency System (SEM) for the entire Catalan healthcare network. In fact, the level of autonomy of each center is being considered to prioritize power supply for the machines. However, some non-urgent operations and diagnostic tests are beginning to be canceled to ensure care for the highest-priority patients.

This is the case of the largest hospital in Catalonia, Vall d'Hebron. The center is operating using its own batteries and, for the moment, expects a power backup of 40 hours. For this reason, it is prioritizing the operation of the ICUs and operating rooms. Non-priority facilities—waiting rooms, lobbies, and hallways, as well as outpatient clinics—are in darkness. None of the computers are working either, except for those used by the triage services. However, there are many patients waiting in the hallways, and staff are emptying the common areas so that only the professionals and inpatients remain inside.

At Hospital Clínic, the smell of fuel has become intense, and the noise of the generators, which hadn't been turned on for a long time, can be heard everywhere. "I've been working here for more than three decades, and I don't remember a blackout of this magnitude," said a hospital worker. Currently, all hospital equipment is operating normally, although it is feared that services and visits will have to be reorganized starting this afternoon. However, there is tension among the workers: "We don't know what we should do, but luckily everything is still working," explains a laboratory worker. "The power went out completely for only a few minutes," she says. The power outage at Hospital Clínic has led to long lines of patients, healthcare professionals, and people gathering by the ATM to withdraw money.

Not all centers have an alternative power supply. The Drassanes Primary Care Center (EAP Raval Sud) is one of those without. Healthcare staff wait at the entrance to inform patients that all scheduled visits have had to be suspended due to the power outage. Only emergency healthcare is being provided. "It reminds me of the pandemic, when we were at the entrance," says Maria Rodríguez, an administrative assistant. Olga Velasco, a physiotherapist, explains that she came by motorcycle from Badalona: "I tried to get gas, but the pump wasn't working, so I came with what I had. I don't know if I'll have enough to get back. I didn't want to leave the patients alone." A patient left her a small jerry can that he carries on his motorcycle so she could get home.

"I was scared that I might run out of oxygen."

One of the challenges of the power outage has been helping patients outside the primary care centers, such as those requiring assisted breathing. Lina and Frank, nurses at the Doctor Lluís Sayé Primary Care Center, went to deliver an oxygen cylinder to Maria's house, a resident of the Raval neighborhood. But they had to wait a long time outside the door for someone to answer, as both the doorbells and the gate are powered by electricity. After shouting for a few minutes behind the door, Maria's son—who lives across the street—came out to answer. Maria suffers from respiratory problems and had already connected her portable generator, but she was scared. "I was scared," she admits. "Suddenly, my television went out." The oxygen cylinder the nurses provided has a capacity for at least six hours. "If [the power outage] lasts longer, we'll come and replace it," Lina reassures her.

But the truth is, they don't know if they'll have enough cylinders for all the patients they need at the primary care center where they work. "The generator doesn't work there, but it's not a big deal because most things don't need electricity. The problem is the vaccines, which will spoil," Lina adds.