The lack of electricity during last week's rolling blackouts could have been deadly for hospitals in the area. No one was guaranteed to keep their electricity.
Hospitals and other vital health care facilities had no warning when the power went out.
Executives thought they had cleared up a misunderstanding and wouldn't be affected by that type of power outage in the future.
They were wrong.
When the electricity went out at Davita Dialysis in Dallas last week, twenty patients had to have their blood hand cranked back into their bodies.
"It's scary for the patients because the alarms go off, and then, we do have emergency lighting but the clinic is basically in the dark," said Camille May, Davita Dialysis. "The patient is, 'What's going to happen to me?'"
Camille May said she was led to believe, as a critical care facility that provides life sustaining treatment, Davita Dialysis would not be included in rolling blackouts.
Dozens of medical centers, including Texas Health Dallas, Parkland, even Children's Medical Center, operating rooms went dark for a few seconds and digital equipment had to reboot campus-wide, as the electricity was cut and generators kicked in.
The DFW Hospital Council, which represents 75 medical centers, said "It was our understanding hospitals were exempt from rolling blackouts."
"There is some confusion about if there is an exempt list," said Megan Wright, ONCOR spokesperson. "There is not. There is a priority list. When you have an emergency like this where you're required to shed so many loads to prevent a statewide blackout, you have to have every customer on it."
Wright said critical care facilities were among the last to be included in rolling blackouts.
When it was pointed out that Super Bowl venues, including Cowboy's stadium, were not affected, Wright said some locations were designated as a high security priority.
Fortunately, patients all fared well at Davita Dialysis. Camille May said no one from Oncor has returned her calls or offered any assurance they will get a warning, before power is cut again.
"Nobody's called to say, we're sorry this happened to you, we endangered your patients lives, nothing," May said.
The DFW hospital council is supposed to meet with ONCOR next week.
ONCOR said even jails are on the rolling blackout list, so it is unlikely hospitals will be exempt.
Email: jstjames@wfaa.com
