Abstract
During the COVID-19 pandemic, MTEC researchers developed “HI PETE”, patient isolation chamber for Home & Community Isolation, a device for isolating patients with respiratory tract problems, which is crucial as it helps reduce the infection, numbers of medical personnel while transferring patients, and time, as well as protect their safety while taking good care of the COVID-19 patients. Most of negative pressure isolation chambers or tents are currently expensive and have various limitations, like, most designs are heavy and it takes time to install. Therefore, they are not practical due to high costs for maintenance, and lack of quality testing and certification of equipment in safety and performance. The HI PETE consists of 2 main parts; a clear plastic patient isolation room and a negative pressure unit designed to control the air circulation inside the chamber. This HI PETE innovation is developed in consideration of local manufacture, reduction of shortage necessary medical equipment, and future improvement on the medical devices in accordance with global safety standards. The HI PETE is designed efficiently and approved after being reviewed along with literature and solution ideas gathered from concerned parties. The outcomes attached with this innovation are an air circulation system, a high-efficiency particulate air filter (HEPA filter), and a UV-C light sterilization system. From a study of current problems and reviews by actual users from 3 sampling institutions: Mongkutwattana hospital (Bangkok), Saint Mary hospital (Nakhon Ratchasima) and Sai-ngam hospital (Kampangpetch). Different types of HI PETE chambers are used both in emergency department to treat COVID-19 patients using spray medicine, and in COVID-19 pre-screening station. Especially in Sai-ngam hospital (Kampangpetch), the HI PETE is applied in obstetrics gynecology department. Based on the user feedbacks, the MTEC research team had digested and concluded for specification of the equipment which its main characteristics or essential features of a product are as lightweight, quick and easy to install, compatible with existing medical equipment such as respirator, infusion pump. Foldable chamber requires small space to keep and be easy to transport. Pre-inlet filter prevents redundant disease. Chamber gloves ensure safe patient manipulation and additional ports for connection external medical devices Complies with ISO 14644 standard (Clean room and associated controlled environments), IEC 60601-1 standard (electrical safety testing standard for medical devices) and IEC 60601-1-2 (electromagnetic compatibility).
