Courtesy of the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation.

By Veronica Beltran

innovation to prevent spread of coronavirus

Spirit of the North Donors fund innovations in Healthcare

Apr 7, 2020 | 9:12 AM

PRINCE GEORGE— A team of physicians at UHNBC have used research to create a viable way to combat COVID-19.

The team made up of Dr. Jamil Akhtar, an Anesthesiologist, Dr. M.J Slabbert, and Intensivist, and Dr. Laura Brough an Emergency Room Physician, identified endo-tracheal intubation boxes to be used for training, simulation and potentially back up if needed for personal protective equipment.

With the help of the Northern Health Biomed team the physician lead team were able to partner with local supplier, PG Plastics to create five prototype boxes within the week.

The box works as a barrier between the patient and medical staff by sitting over the head and shoulders of a patient as they are being intubated by a provider.

It acts as a protective shield between provider and patient in an attempt to minimize medical staff’s exposure to COVID-19.

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“We are doing our best to be fit to fight back with tools that will protect our staff and health care workers. We are so pleased that Spirit of the North was willing to provide funding for these units.”—Dr. M Jamil Akhtar, Head Dept. of Anestesia, UHNBC

The intubation box was originally developed in Taiwan by Dr. Hsien Yung Lan and has since been evaluated globally, including in North America.

The box is inexpensive, reusable an easily cleanable according to a press release from Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation and can be recreated locally, in Prince George, where the five prototypes were designed and manufactured.

“Due to the dedicated and prompt help from our Northern Health partners and Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation, I managed to get the first prototype intubation box, professionally built and delivered to the hospital already. We have started to use simulation to evaluate the intubation box as a potential back-up tool. Potentially these boxes can be used with high risk patients,” said Dr. Jamil Akhtar.

Judy Neiser, CEO for the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation says that they are so grateful for donations that “continue to come in during this crisis,” as “they really do make a difference.”

A COVID-19-#safeathome Fund has been established for those who would like to contribute to support and enhance healthcare during this time.