Hospitals are getting an innovative new tool to help lessen the risk of exposure to COVID-19 for caregivers as they intubate patients.
This week, Supply Chain Management began distributing intubation boxes to Texas Health hospitals to give care team members an additional protective barrier when intubating patients.
The boxes, made of PETG Polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) plastic and about the size of a large hatbox, are placed over the head of a patient lying face up. Two holes in the box then allow the caregiver to reach in to intubate the patient.
“Prior to acquiring the boxes, our caregivers worked pretty close to the patient’s mouth to insert the endotracheal tube,” said Kito Gary, director of supply category management. “Because COVID can be transmitted during aerosol-generating procedures, such as intubation, we decided the best practice would be to create a barrier between the patient that is laying on the table and the caregiver carefully placing the device down the patient’s throat.”
Shaun Clinton, senior vice president of Supply Chain Management, said he began looking into have the boxes manufactured after learning similar boxes were being used at other health care systems.
“People began asking if they could use intubation boxes. It’s my job to make sure we’re able to track and provide reliable, safe sources of materials for everything coming into our facilities. We just wanted to make sure if this was a need, that we met that need,” Shaun said.
Two local companies – MultiCam Inc. and Regal Plastics – were chosen to manufacture the intubation boxes for Texas Health. Eighty boxes were ordered, Kito said.
Shaun said that Supply Chain worked with Infection Prevention and clinical leaders to put in place clear cleaning and storage guidelines.
Each hospital will receive boxes, though the amount will vary depending on need, Shaun said. “This is a clear example of us seeing an issue and quickly working together with local suppliers to design a way to help protect our caregivers.”
By Deanna Boyd Spangler • Posted April 22, 2020
