Where electricity is unreliable, compare phototherapy offers together with the facility power and maintenance plan. A device that cannot remain available under local operating conditions leaves a service gap regardless of its purchase price.

Research involving specially filtered sunlight does not make ordinary sunlight or a window an interchangeable treatment device. Any alternative clinical service requires its own approved protocol, equipment and monitoring; it should not be improvised to cover a procurement shortfall.

Audit the installation before ordering

Record supply conditions, outage patterns and the load of the complete proposed setup, including associated equipment. Ask qualified engineering staff to verify compatibility with the facility backup system and relevant operating limits. Do not infer battery operation from low electrical consumption.

Request a practical outage demonstration

Define what happens when supply fails and when it returns, using the approved instructions and without a patient. Check who is alerted, which settings or records must be reviewed and when the unit can resume service. Keep the clinical response separate and governed by the local neonatal protocol.

Make repair access part of the offer

Compare replacement parts, local technical capability, remote assistance and expected transport arrangements. An inexpensive unit with a long repair journey may require additional reserve capacity. Record the approved referral route when local treatment capacity is unavailable.

Procurement comparison

Decision before ordering

Use local operating history to compare the cost of keeping a service available, not merely the cost of owning equipment. Confirm unresolved electrical questions before installation rather than during a clinical interruption.