As many front line healthcare workers will already know, a typical face mask helps to protect the entry of particles going into the lungs via the nose & mouth, which is important to prevent the spread of infection, much like the current COVID-19 virus. However, the remainder of the face, including the eyes, can also provide access for those same particles to make their way into the body.
For this reason, a number of projects have commenced around the world to manufacture these Face Shields to limit the spread of infection for our healthcare workers.
In the last 48 hours, these Face Shields have already been designed, created & tested in hospitals in the UK & Ireland.
The below video, outlines 2 prototypes that have already been designed:
The intention for this project is to protect healthcare workers in a time of crisis. We are opening the design to the world so that other designers can take and expand on this design for the benefit of society.
We’ve spent the last few days working with a group of designers, anaesthetists, nurses and doctors who are treating coronavirus patients.
When treating these patients, there is a heightened risk of contamination during aerosol generating procedures. The aim of this device is to decrease hazard to those performing these procedures, this includes; the anaesthetist, nurses, surgeons and other healthcare workers, when intubating and extubating;
- Covid19 positive patients
- Contacts of these patients
- Possibly all patients who require these procedures during the Covid19 pandemic
Originally designed in Taiwan, a group of Irish designers & medical professionals expanded on the design.
It’s purpose is to sit over the patients’ head during the 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.
One version has hand-holes for the clinicians 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 intention for this project is to protect healthcare workers in a time of crisis. We are opening the design to the world so that other designers can take and expand on this design for the benefit of society.
*DISCLAIMER We can give no guarantees as to the efficacy of either product and they must be tested in your local region and approved by those with the responsibility of care before being used in the treatment of a patient.
** This post was originally published on http://blog.seatingmatters.com/open-source-design-protection-for-healthcare-workers