Redesigning protective gear for health workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: leveling up the “aerosol box”

Abstract

Background and Objective: Venezuela presents a health, socio-economic crisis (minimum wage of 2.32 US dollars monthly), and a political one. Apart from having very poor quality public services and coverage, such as water, public transport, electricity, and the Internet. In this context, COVID-19 appears. This pathology quickly became a pandemic since its transmission occurs mainly through contact with the secretions of infected patients or with contaminated surfaces. Health workers face a higher risk of infection than the rest of the population. For this reason, the objective of the work was to reduce this threat while working with patients with COVID-19, redesigning the original "spray box". To carry out this work, the university, private health providers and private companies had to be united. Material and Methods: The following phases were carried out: a) A sketch is created; b) A 3D CD model is created; c) The prototype is manufactured; d) The prototype is improved; and e) The effectiveness and safety tests are carried out. Results: As a result, the medical team obtained a tool to limit the spread of COVID 19 and thereby improve the health of the health workers involved. This instrument is called "Cube de Vie" (CubeDV). Conclusions: to carry out a job in Venezuela is very complicated under the circumstances it presents, however, the joint work of three organizations such as the university, private health providers and private companies can generate solutions to the serious situation that the pandemic presents. .