"Development of safe procedures for the use of PAPR type personal protective equipment by medical staff in contacts with people infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus"
The project is to define the possibilities of using personal protective equipment in the form of PAPR (powered air-purifying respirator) to protect medical personnel against virus infection
Project title
"Development of safe procedures for the use of PAPR type personal protective equipment by medical staff in contacts with people infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus"
Name of Beneficiary/Beneficiaries
“Medical Centre in Łańcut” sp. z o.o. (limited liability company)
Name of programme
SINGLE-NAME HOSPITALS SUPPORT PROGRAMME
Competition
"Support for single-named hospitals in the fight against the spread of SARS-CoV-2 virus infection and in the treatment for COVID-19 patients"
Project value
PLN 1 712 000.00
Funding value
PLN 1 712 000.00
Project delivery period
From 29 October 2020 till 24 January 2022
View the results of our work
What problem is addressed by the project?
The project is to define the possibilities of using personal protective equipment in the form of PAPR (powered air-purifying respirator) to protect medical personnel against virus infection.
The PAPR device called Super Vision RL-20 is composed of a hood with a large visor and a set of fans that supply filtered air (by pipes) to the hood. A set of filters installed in front of the fan protects the entire device against contamination. Air is supplied to the hood with a slight overpressure in an amount greater than the body needs during strenuous effort, thanks to which the excess is constantly removed through leaks, thus preventing any inflow of air with the pathogens. The design of the hood allows you to wear prescription glasses inside it and prevents fogging of the lens from the inside thanks to a directed air flow.
The ergonomics tests of the Super Vision RL-20 device were conducted in hospital wards conditions and during sanitary transport. The study consisted in a comprehensive scrutiny of the application of new technical solutions used to protect against contact with the virus, a comparative analysis of the extend of protection with the solutions currently used (masks, goggles, face shields), analysis of ergonomics of use and preparation of guidelines for manufacturers to adapt the design of devices to the specificity of the work of medical services personnel involved in treatment of patients infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, especially during a pandemic.
Currently, an analysis of the collected surveys on the use of the "Super Vision RL-20" hood with a hip ventilator is being carried out.
Virological tests of surface cleanliness are also conducted (RT-PCR SARS-Cov2 - Simplexa Covid-19). Virological tests are performed in our own Microbiology Laboratory.
Who uses the project results?
The results of ergonomics and performance tests will be used to prepare guidelines for manufacturers, which, due to the specificity of personnel work in infectious diseases wards, must be taken into consideration while designing the equipment intended for use during the coronavirus pandemic. The experience from other countries more affected by the epidemic clearly shows some problems with the use of PAPR devices currently available on the market. These are problems related to thorough decontamination and disinfection of devices and the lack of possibility to use disposable equipment.
The result of the work will be the evaluation of the possibility of using new personal protection equipment of the PAPR type - Super Vision RL-20 for protection against viral infections of medical personnel in the conditions prevailing in the infectious deceases wards (hospitalization) and during transport and examination of patients suspected of being infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
What was the greatest challenge during project implementation?
There were no problem reported.
The project aroused great interest among hospital employees. Everyone, full of hope for a possibility of effective protection against the coronavirus, began usability tests. Every day in the hospital, in laboratories or in ambulances we could meet enthusiasts who tested the suitability of PAPR hoods with full commitment.
From the very beginning we were receiving positive reports. Each user paid special attention to the main advantage of the PAPR device. It is fresh and cool air, which, pressed into the hood, allowed for "light breathing", without any discomfort of the drawing in air that is experienced by medics wearing FFP2 or FFP3 masks.