Global Health & Medicine 2022;4(5):294-295.

The role of clinical engineers in the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic

Sato M, Fukaya T, Ogawa T, Nunose N, Hosaka S

Abstract

The duties of a clinical engineer (CE) during the coronavirus infection 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic were diverse. The original duties of a CE included operation and maintenance of life support equipment used for respiratory therapy, hemodialysis, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. The management of life support equipment is critical. The PB-840 ventilator is equipped with a heat sink system that dissipates internal heat through thermal conduction. Therefore, internal contamination is less likely to occur. The exhalation filter used in the PB- 840 can be used for up to 15 days. It can be used for long periods of time without maintenance, reducing the risk of infection. The PB-840 is a suitable device for patients with COVID-19. Its use in critically ill patients was determined to be a priority. Thus, use of an appropriate device for infection control requires a proper understanding of and familiarity with the device in question.

KEYWORDS: invasive ventilators, non-invasive ventilators (NIV), high-flow nasal cannulas (HFNC)

DOI: 10.35772/ghm.2022.01012

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