What is the crucial first step in responding to a widespread power outage affecting critical hospital operations?

The crucial first step in responding to a widespread power outage affecting critical hospital operations is to immediately verify that the emergency power system (EPS), including generators and automatic transfer switches (ATS), has activated and is providing power to essential loads as designed. This involves checking the status indicators on the ATS panels to confirm that they have switched to the emergency power source and verifying that the generators are running and supplying power at the correct voltage and frequency. It's also important to assess the extent of the power outage to determine which areas and equipment are affected. This initial assessment allows the hospital staff to prioritize critical functions, such as life support systems, operating rooms, and intensive care units, and ensure that they have adequate power. If the emergency power system fails to activate or is not providing power to all essential loads, immediate troubleshooting is required to identify and resolve the issue. Pre-established emergency response plans are used to guide and facilitate these steps.