Electrical risk analysis in operating rooms at the light of the advancements in modelling and simulation methods

The present paper focus on the adoption of modern software suitable for circuit simulation and mathematical calculation in the modelling of a real surgical layout, composed by the isolated - to - earth electrical power system at service of the operating room, the involved electrical medical equipment and the patient. The most critical fault conditions leading to the microshock event due to the flow of current through the heart of the patient, are identified. The paper shows the electrical circuit model applied to the investigation of an accident occurred in New Zealand, where an electric shock to a member of the medical staff during a surgical procedure occurred. By such model the risk of microshock for the patient is analyzed. This in-depth investigation of the microshock risk confirms the necessity to adopt some protection measures in the operating room. These protection measures are discussed in details.