Apline Care Energy Client Interview with Victor
- Before the solar installation, what was a typical day like in the lab in terms of power supply?
Before the solar installation, a typical day in the laboratory was highly unpredictable. Power supply from the grid was inconsistent, with frequent outages occurring without warning. Some days we experienced multiple interruptions, while on others there was no power for several hours. This instability forced us to constantly plan work around electricity availability, often delaying tests or suspending critical procedures until power was restored.2. Can you describe a specific moment where a power outage directly affected a patient’s diagnosis or care?
One particularly challenging moment involved a patient who required urgent enzyme testing to rule out a myocardial infarction. Just as the analyzer was running the sample, there was a sudden power outage. The test was aborted, the sample integrity was compromised, and we had to recollect the specimen. This caused a delay in diagnosis and treatment, increasing anxiety for both the patient and the clinical team.3. What equipment was most affected by power instability?
Automated analyzers, centrifuges, refrigerators, freezers, and incubators were the most affected. During outages samples in the middle of analysis were often lost. Reagents requiring cold-chain storage were exposed to temperature fluctuations, leading to wastage. Test results were sometimes incomplete or unreliable This not only increased operational costs but also reduced confidence in test accuracy.4. How many hours a day was the lab actually fully operational before solar versus now?
Before the solar installation, the lab was fully operational for only about 4–6 hours per day on average, depending on power availability. Since the solar system was installed, the laboratory is operational for 24 hours daily, with uninterrupted power even during peak workload periods and emergencies.5. What was the experience of working in those conditions for you and your team?
Working under those conditions was extremely stressful and frustrating. There was constant anxiety about losing samples, repeating tests, or failing patients who depended on timely results. Morale was often low, and staff felt professionally limited despite their skills. The fear of power failure during critical procedures created emotional exhaustion and reduced job satisfaction.6. Since the installation, what has changed most noticeably in your day-to-day work?
The most noticeable change is stability. Workflows are now smooth and predictable. Tests can be planned and completed without interruption, equipment runs optimally, and storage conditions are maintained consistently. We now focus more on quality and efficiency rather than crisis management.7. Has the quality or turnaround time of test results improved? Can you give a specific example?
Yes, both quality and turnaround time have improved significantly. For example, tests that previously took several hours due to interruptions can now be completed within 30–60 minutes. Repeat testing due to aborted runs has been drastically reduced, and results are more reliable and timely.8. Have you noticed any impact on patient outcomes particularly for patients who needed urgent diagnostics? Absolutely. Faster and more reliable diagnostics mean clinicians can make quicker decisions. For patients, timely results have supported early intervention, reduced complications, and in some cases, likely prevented deterioration. The lab now plays a more effective role in emergency and critical care.
9. How has the team’s confidence and morale changed since having reliable power?
Team confidence and morale have improved remarkably. Staff now trust the systems they work with and feel proud of the quality of service they provide. There is a renewed sense of professionalism, motivation, and teamwork. Reliable power has restored confidence not only in our equipment, but also in our ability to deliver safe, timely, and life-saving diagnostic services.