CCP and associates design Aerosol box to protect healthcare workers during surgical procedures
Press release
27th March 2020
IRISH ANAESTHESIOLOGISTS AND PLASTICS COMPANIES MAKE NEW PROTECTIVE SHIELD TO PROTECT HEALTHCARE WORKERS
Product designed to reduce spread of Covid-19 during procedures where healthcare staff are at risk of exposure to virus
A team of Anaesthesiologists and two Irish plastics companies have produced a device to protect healthcare workers when they perform procedures that are likely to generate aerosols capable of transmitting the virus, such as putting a patient on a ventilator. Additional infection prevention and control precautions are currently required when performing aerosol generating procedures (AGPs) due to high risk for Coronavirus exposure of health care workers in the context of Covid-19.
Dr Michael Egan, Anaesthesiologist, of Critical Care Partners (CCP) - a group of consultant physicians specialising in Anaesthesia, Intensive Care and Perioperative medicine across 7 private hospitals in Ireland – joined forces with Dr Jennifer McElwain of University Hospital Galway and Dr Nick Barrett of University Hospital Limerick, plus Martin Tierney of Seating Matters, a Specialist Healthcare seating company in Limavady and Mark Irvine of Plastics Promotions – a plastic fabrication company - in Craigavon.
After briefing both companies on the needs of healthcare teams doing AGP on ‘unknown Covid-19 status’ patients, the product was complete and ready for delivery within 48 hours.
The device is a clear Perspex box shield which was originally designed in Taiwan and expanded on by the Irish design team. Its purpose is to sit over the patient’s head during a surgical procedure, with an opening at the cranial end for the clinician’s hands and an opening at the caudal end to give access to the various medical devices being used with the patient.
There are two versions: one has hand-holes for the clinician’s hands to go through at the cranial end. This will give a strong physical barrier between the patient and the clinician. Another version has a wide opening which can be covered by a transparent surgical sheet which may give greater freedom of movement during a procedure.
The design files are available online through the producers and are currently being used in both Wales and Portugal.
At present, guidelines say that full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) should be worn only when a patient is confirmed with Covid-19. There is a current global shortage of PPE for healthcare workers. Thus, the need to find alternative methods to protect healthcare workers in the course of their work.
Dr Michael Egan, Anaesthesiologist, said:
“The design for an aerosol box shield originated from an awareness of the heightened risk of contamination during Aerosol Generating Procedures. The aim is to minimise exposure risk to those performing or in attendance at such high risk procedures (the anaesthetist, nurses, surgeons and other healthcare workers) when intubating and extubating patients. Such patients include those who are confirmed Covid-19 positive and possibly all patients who require these procedures during the Covid-19 pandemic”.
“This idea was turned around from concept to finished product in 48 hours and is a great example of how local manufacturers and designers are helping frontline healthcare workers in the battle against Covid-19. ” concluded Dr Egan.
ENDS
Aerosol box screen to protect healthcare workers from Covid-19 Dr. Michael Egan demonstrates while Dr. Tadgh Lynch plays role of patient.