- Author: Christos Chapeshis
-
Gerontologist, CEO of ABeWER
BScN, Dipl. W, Dipl. N, Dipl. CN, RN, CDTT, MScG
Abstract
The Iran war of 2026 has generated a wide humanitarian crisis across the Middle East, significantly affecting healthcare systems, energy infrastructures, and transportation networks. Military attacks targeting critical infrastructure, including energy production facilities and electrical grids, have resulted in widespread power outages in several countries within the region. These outages have severe implications for hospitals and healthcare facilities, particularly affecting patients with reduced mobility whose care relies heavily on electrically powered medical devices.
Among the most vulnerable technologies are alternating pressure mattresses and automated lateral turning systems designed to prevent pressure injuries. When electrical power is disrupted, these systems cease to function, leaving patients exposed to prolonged pressure and tissue ischemia, which significantly increases the risk of pressure injury development.
In this context, the innovative multiTURN® 6 EBT technology developed by ABeWER represents a significant advancement in pressure injury prevention. It is the first Multifunction Lateral Turning Mattress (MLTM) system worldwide capable of remaining fully inflated for more than 24 hours without electrical power, ensuring continuous patient support during energy disruptions.
This article examines the relationship between modern warfare, energy infrastructure destruction, and the increased incidence of pressure injuries, while highlighting how the multiTURN® 6 EBT innovation can dramatically reduce these risks in crisis environments.
1. Introduction
Modern armed conflicts increasingly involve attacks on critical infrastructure, including energy facilities, communication networks, and healthcare institutions. The Iran war of 2026 represents a contemporary example of such conflicts, where military operations and cyberattacks have severely affected the availability of electricity and the functioning of healthcare systems across the region.
International reports indicate that attacks on oil fields, energy production facilities, and electricity transmission networks have significantly disrupted power supply across several Middle Eastern countries (The Guardian, 2026). Additionally, the World Health Organization has confirmed attacks on healthcare facilities, which further reduce patient access to essential medical services (Reuters, 2026).
Power outages represent one of the most critical threats to hospital functionality. Hospitals rely on continuous electrical supply to operate life-support systems, monitoring devices, diagnostic equipment, and specialized medical technologies.
Among these technologies are pressure injury prevention systems, including alternating pressure mattresses and automated turning mattresses. These devices play a vital role in preventing tissue ischemia in immobile patients.
However, during prolonged power outages, these systems stop functioning, leaving patients exposed to prolonged pressure and increasing the likelihood of pressure injury development.
2. The Iran War 2026 and the Destruction of Energy Infrastructure
The Iran war of 2026 escalated following a series of military confrontations and targeted attacks on strategic infrastructure across the Middle East. Military operations included air strikes, cyberattacks, and sabotage of critical energy systems.
According to international analyses, several oil and gas facilities experienced severe disruptions, leading to instability in energy supply across the region (The Guardian, 2026).
Additionally, cyberattacks linked to the conflict have targeted power grids and electricity distribution systems, causing significant interruptions in electrical supply in multiple countries (Associated Press, 2026).
The destruction of energy infrastructure is a well-documented consequence of modern warfare. Damage to electricity generation plants, substations, and transmission networks can lead to extended power outages lasting hours or even days.
Such disruptions pose significant challenges to healthcare systems that rely on stable energy supply to maintain safe clinical operations.
3. Consequences of Power Outages in Healthcare Systems
Hospitals are particularly vulnerable to electrical failures because many essential medical technologies require continuous power.
Power outages can disrupt:
- ventilatory support systems
- patient monitoring devices
- diagnostic imaging equipment
- electronic hospital beds
- pressure injury prevention systems
Failure of these systems may result in severe complications for patients, particularly those in intensive care units or individuals with limited mobility.
The World Health Organization has highlighted that attacks on healthcare infrastructure during armed conflicts significantly reduce healthcare accessibility and increase health risks for vulnerable populations (Reuters, 2026).
4. Increased Risk of Pressure Injuries During Power Failures
Pressure injuries occur when prolonged pressure over bony prominences leads to reduced blood flow and tissue ischemia. The most common anatomical sites include the sacrum, heels, and trochanteric areas.
Prevention strategies for pressure injuries typically involve:
- frequent patient repositioning
- use of advanced pressure-redistribution mattresses
- control of moisture and microclimate
Modern alternating pressure mattresses rely on electric pumps that cyclically inflate and deflate air cells to redistribute pressure across the patient’s body.
However, during power outages, these pumps stop functioning, and the mattress may completely deflate. This leaves the patient lying directly on a rigid surface without pressure redistribution.
Research has demonstrated that prolonged pressure can cause tissue damage in as little as 20 minutes in high-risk patients (Morton, 2024).
Additionally, studies have shown that the performance of active support surfaces is significantly affected by mechanical failures and electrical disruptions (Rae et al., 2025).
In conflict zones where electricity supply is unstable, the incidence of pressure injuries may increase dramatically.
5. Impact on Patients with Reduced Mobility
Patients with limited mobility represent the most vulnerable population for pressure injury development.
These groups include:
- intensive care unit patients
- elderly individuals in long-term care facilities
- patients with neurological disorders
- individuals with spinal cord injuries
These patients are unable to reposition themselves independently, making them highly dependent on caregiver assistance and specialized mattress systems.
When these systems stop functioning due to power outages, several complications may occur:
- rapid development of pressure injuries
- worsening of existing wounds
- increased infection risk
- prolonged hospitalization
- increased mortality rates
Pressure injuries also represent a significant economic burden on healthcare systems worldwide due to the long-term treatment required.
6. The Innovation of ABeWER’s multiTURN® 6 EBT Technology
The multiTURN® 6 EBT technology developed by ABeWER represents a groundbreaking advancement in pressure injury prevention.
This system belongs to the category that ABeWER firsd worldwide had created the MLTM (Multifunction Lateral Turning Mattress systems), and is the first system globally to incorporate the Easy Bed Transfer (EBT) function.
A key feature of this innovation is the ability of the mattress to remain fully inflated for more than 24 hours without electrical power.
This unique capability provides significant advantages in environments where electricity supply may be unstable or interrupted.
Such environments include:
- hospitals in war zones
- humanitarian crisis areas
- emergency medical response units
- regions with unstable energy infrastructure
7. How multiTURN® 6 EBT Can Dramatically Reduce Pressure Injury Risk
The primary innovation of the multiTURN® 6 EBT technology addresses a critical vulnerability in conventional mattress systems: their dependence on continuous electrical power.
The multiTURN® 6 EBT system:
- maintains internal air pressure even without electricity
- prevents complete mattress deflation during power outages
- continues providing pressure redistribution support
As a result:
- tissue ischemia risk is significantly reduced
- patient safety is preserved during energy disruptions
- healthcare providers maintain a reliable pressure injury prevention system
This capability is particularly important in regions affected by war or natural disasters where electrical infrastructure may be compromised.
8. Discussion
Modern healthcare systems are highly dependent on technology and energy infrastructure. However, armed conflicts expose the vulnerability of these systems when energy supply becomes unstable.
The Iran war of 2026 illustrates the complex relationship between warfare, infrastructure destruction, and healthcare outcomes.
Power outages not only disrupt hospital operations but also increase the risk of complications among vulnerable patients.
The development of medical technologies that remain functional during energy disruptions represents an important direction for future innovation in medical device engineering.
The multiTURN® 6 EBT technology demonstrates how advanced medical engineering can adapt to modern healthcare challenges and improve patient safety even under crisis conditions.
9. Conclusion
The Iran war of 2026 has highlighted the vulnerability of healthcare systems to disruptions in energy infrastructure.
Frequent power outages significantly increase the risk of pressure injury development, particularly among patients with reduced mobility.
The innovative multiTURN® 6 EBT system developed by ABeWER provides a critical solution to this challenge by ensuring continuous mattress functionality even without electrical power.
The adoption of such technologies may play a vital role in improving patient safety and strengthening healthcare resilience in regions affected by war, humanitarian crises, or unstable energy infrastructure.
References (Harvard)
Associated Press (2026). Iran-linked hackers target critical infrastructure during the war. AP News.
Morton, A. (2024). Power outages and pressure ulcer risk in healthcare facilities. OSKA Medical Report.
Rae, K. et al. (2025). Comparative effectiveness of active and reactive mattresses in pressure injury healing. International Journal of Nursing Studies.
Reuters (2026). WHO confirms attacks on healthcare sites in Iran.
Shi, C. et al. (2020). Alternating pressure air surfaces for preventing pressure ulcers. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.
The Guardian (2026). Middle East oil infrastructure disruptions during the Iran war.