Sent in by reader Bob THANKS!
Planning for 'worst-case scenario' by expanding desperately needed ventilators
A hack used by a physician during the 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting could become a game-changer in the battle against COVID-19 as a looming shortage of ventilators threatens.
An Eastern Ontario anesthetist has tested the modification, which could double or quadruple the capacity of scarce ventilators during a growing COVID-19 pandemic.
MORE HERE <<<
Interesting hack, but will the bureaucrats allow the modification without "comprehensive studies"?
ReplyDeleteA screaming case for "margin" when you design and build things. "This ventilator needs to deliver 20 PSI. I'll design for 25" (or 40, these are all PFA numbers).
ReplyDeleteThe "hack" might be acceptable for short term use on patients who aren't infectious. Doing this for LONG term ( as in days at a time) on people with god only knows what stew of infectious agents in their lungs is NOT a viable alternative. And for EVERY patient needing a respirator you need several people available 24/7 to tend to that patient constantly starting with a nurse. Then add in respiratory therapists, x ray techs who image ventilated patients lungs every day or more often, lab techs etc. etc. etc. and you soon run out of not only the ventilators but the people who MUST be present to make use of them. Without skilled people a ventilator is a giant paper weight.
ReplyDelete