Donation of a specialized piece of equipment manufactured by the Modern company is helping to keep medical staff safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Modern has made a Lexan glass box from a design from a Taiwanese anesthesiologist that can be used during treatment of patients. The box can be placed over a patient’s head to isolate medical personnel from droplets that carry COVID-19.
Dr. Pieter Rossouw, head of the anesthesia department at Powell River General Hospital, said one of the things that can potentially go wrong for health-care workers is when medical staff have to intubate a patient for a ventilator.
“You are at the highest risk of getting exposed to the virus,” said Rossouw. “There are many steps where one can get affected, clearly, but it is the most risky thing to do when you intubate somebody.
“When you intubate, you are not alone, you have one, sometimes two helpers, and for the same reason, they get exposed. This box, for me, makes me feel way better.”
Rossouw said in his opinion, it is a necessary piece of equipment and the medical community is very fortunate that Dan Agius, president of Modern, was able to manufacture the equipment. Rossouw said people throughout the world are using this type of equipment to reduce risk.
Agius said Rossouw sent him plans for the box and was asking if it was possible to have it for a Monday trial. Agius said his 30-year employee Rob McNeice came in over a weekend on his own time and put it together.
“We wanted to jump on it right away,” said Agius. “It was a good feeling for our company and my long-term doctor Pieter.”
In testing, Rossouw said the box is very functional. He said luckily, the community has not had any COVID-19 cases in Powell River General Hospital so far.
“We’ve used the time wisely to get ready,” said Rossouw. “The internal medicine specialists are onboard with this box so they are happy we have it in case we have to use it. I’m very happy about it because you can use it for anybody you think might have a potential infection of any type.”
Agius said it felt great to be able to supply the equipment for the local medical community.
Rossouw said the box is really practical and for that he is thankful.
“In my mind it’s a wonderful piece of equipment,” said Rossouw. “It’s great that we have local resources and that they were willing to step up to the plate.”
He said other businesses in the community have been helping the hospital prepare for COVID-19, including Tempco and WB Contracting. Also, Neil Pukesh, City of Powell River’s manager of recreation, has been supportive of the medical community, he added.
