Table of Contents
- Navarra Hospital Blackout Disrupts Cancer Treatment, Surgeries
- Navarra Hospital Blackout: frequently Asked Questions
- What happened at the University Hospital of Navarra (HUN)?
- How did the power outage impact cancer treatments?
- Which surgical procedures were affected by the blackout?
- What other medical services were disrupted?
- What specific types of equipment were affected during the outage?
- how is the hospital working to resolve the situation?
- when did the hospital begin to restore normal operations?
- Could you summarize the impact of the power outage?
- Why is a consistent power supply so critical for modern hospitals?
- What is being done to prevent future outages?
PAMPLONA, Spain (AP) — A power outage at the University Hospital of Navarra (HUN) on Monday, April 28, 2025, caused significant disruptions, including the postponement of cancer treatments and scheduled surgeries, according to the department of Health.
Radiotherapy Treatments Halted
Sixty-five patients were unable to receive scheduled radiotherapy for cancer treatment due to the blackout. radiotherapy relies on linear accelerators, which use high-energy X-rays and require electricity to function.
Surgical Procedures Postponed
The Department of Health reported that 35 scheduled surgeries were also suspended because of the power failure.
Hospital protocols ensured that operations already in progress continued uninterrupted. Though, the Department of Health, facing uncertainty about the outage’s duration, ordered the postponement of all scheduled surgeries that had not yet commenced.
Efforts to Reschedule
The department of Health stated that all canceled appointments and procedures resulting from the power outage will be rescheduled as quickly as possible.
Impact on Consultations and Tests
The blackout also affected 131 specialist consultations. The exact number of patients impacted is still being steadfast.
Additionally, the outage forced the postponement of 44 endoscopies (digestive system examinations), 16 colonoscopies (anus examinations), and 22 nuclear medicine tests involving advanced equipment such as PET scanners, gamma cameras, and bone densitometers.
Hospital Operations Returning to Normal
As of Tuesday morning,the Department of Health reported that three of the four linear accelerators at the University Hospital of Navarra were operational. Technicians also resolved issues affecting some CT scanners.
On Monday, April 28, 2025, a power outage at the University Hospital of Navarra (HUN) in Pamplona, Spain, caused major disruptions to hospital services.this included the postponement of cancer treatments, surgeries, and other medical procedures.
How did the power outage impact cancer treatments?
Sixty-five patients were unable to receive their scheduled radiotherapy cancer treatments because the equipment necessary for this treatment relies on electricity to function. Radiotherapy uses linear accelerators, which are dependent on a consistent power supply.
Which surgical procedures were affected by the blackout?
The Department of Health reported that 35 scheduled surgical procedures were postponed due to the power outage. Surgeries that were already in progress were allowed to continue, as hospital protocols ensured an uninterrupted power supply for those ongoing procedures.
What other medical services were disrupted?
Beyond cancer treatments and surgeries, the power outage also impacted:
* 131 specialist consultations
* 44 endoscopies
* 16 colonoscopies
* 22 nuclear medicine tests
What specific types of equipment were affected during the outage?
The power failure impacted advanced medical equipment, including:
* Linear accelerators (used for radiotherapy)
* CT scanners
* PET scanners
* Gamma cameras
* Bone densitometers
how is the hospital working to resolve the situation?
The Department of Health stated that all canceled appointments and procedures will be rescheduled as quickly as possible.
when did the hospital begin to restore normal operations?
As of Tuesday morning following the blackout, three out of the four linear accelerators were operational at the University Hospital of Navarra. Technicians also resolved issues affecting certain CT scanners.
Could you summarize the impact of the power outage?
Here’s a quick overview of the major disruptions caused by the power outage:
| Affected Service | Impact |
|---|---|
| Radiotherapy | 65 patients’ treatments postponed |
| surgical Procedures | 35 surgeries postponed |
| Specialist Consultations | 131 consultations affected |
| Endoscopies | 44 postponed |
| Colonoscopies | 16 postponed |
| Nuclear Medicine Tests | 22 postponed |
Why is a consistent power supply so critical for modern hospitals?
Modern hospitals rely on complex, electricity-dependent equipment across multiple departments.A consistent power supply is critical for advanced diagnostic tools such as CT scanners and MRI machines, life-sustaining equipment like ventilators, and precision treatment modalities like radiotherapy. Power outages of any duration can significantly disrupt patient care and perhaps impact outcomes.
What is being done to prevent future outages?
The provided article does not include details about measures or plans to prevent future power outages. However, after any such event, a thorough investigation is standard procedure. Hospitals often review and assess their backup power systems, safety protocols, and emergency response plans.
