Os impactos da qualidade de energia elétrica em equipamentos de monitoramento e manutenção da vida em instituições de saúde

The advancement of technology on a global level has allowed improvements in several areas of knowledge, enabling improvements in the precision of procedures, improvements in forms of communication and a major revolution in some of these areas. One very important area has seen great advances due to technological advancement: health. Over the centuries, starting from archaic and experimental medicine, with rudimentary and manual procedures, we have now reached the application of high technology in healthcare facilities, the EAS, examples being the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, such as robotic surgeries performed remotely by surgeons, with the aid of robotic arms. For such advancement to occur, the electro-electronic equipment used in environments such as EAS, the so-called electromedical equipment (EEM), are considered to be of vital importance for technology to have effective results in the good treatment, diagnosis and life support of patients. Considering that inadequate operation of EEM in health facilities due to power quality (PQ) problems can occur, this study was conducted with the objective of analyzing the impacts of PQ on the operation of EEM, especially those intended for monitoring and maintaining life, such as multiparameter monitors, pulmonary ventilators, among others. The research addresses the main electrical disturbances — such as voltage variations, harmonic distortions, dips, swells and interruptions — and their consequences on the performance, durability and operational safety of these equipment. Theoretical analyses and interviews with professionals in the health and clinical engineering areas were carried out, through an electronic form, seeking to demonstrate that poor power quality, to the detriment of inefficient electrical installations that do not comply with current standards, can compromise the accuracy of clinical data, cause sudden failures and even pose a risk to the lives of patients, the most important factor to be addressed. The paper highlights the importance of implementing protection systems, monitoring the quality of electrical energy and preventive maintenance, as well as adequate training as essential measures to ensure the reliability and availability of EEM at all times of operation, linked to the implementation of clinical engineering in EAS. It is concluded that the management of electrical energy quality is a critical factor for hospital safety and should be considered a priority in health infrastructure policies.