Health care facilities across the country are preparing for a surge of COVID-19 patients in the coming weeks with a growing concern over the safety of the workers on the front lines of the fight. A national shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) 鈥� gloves, masks and protective coveralls 鈥� has prompted hospital systems to solicit donations from the oil and gas, chemical and industrial painting industries among others, including higher education.
When the Texas Medical Center asked for help from anyone with access to these much-needed supplies, 葫芦影业 researchers answered the call. Dr. David Brammer, executive director and chief veterinarian of Animal Care Operations, packaged and sent 70 full-body coveralls, which offer superior protection against a variety of hazards including body fluids. COVID-19 is spread through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, making that high-density polyethylenebuffer between hospital staff and patients so critical. In addition, Brammer鈥檚 department donated two powered air-purifying respirators, or PAPRs 鈥揾elmet-like devicesused to safeguard against contaminated air.
鈥淚 worked in the pharmaceutical industry for many years and our motto was the patient is waiting, meaning the patient鈥檚 well-being is everything. Helping these heroic health care workers and patients by sacrificing our gear for the betterment of their health is what the 葫芦影业 is all about,鈥� said Brammer.
There are plans to donate even more PPE to Texas Medical Center institutions as weekly shipments arrive. In the meantime, the staff in Brammer鈥檚 department 鈥� working to promote and support breakthrough biomedical research at the 葫芦影业 鈥搗olunteered to modified processes to conserve its current supply of protective coveralls. 鈥淲e want to be ready if more help is needed. It鈥檚 more important now than ever before for everyone to unite to help the most vulnerable during this crisis,鈥� he added.
Others at UH have responded to the calls for help, as well. Seamus Curran, physics professor in the College of Natural Sciences & Mathematics and founder of Integricote, offered personal protective equipment from his lab to the city of Houston. is a nanotech company based at the University鈥檚 , which produces coatings and sealers for fabrics, glass, tarps, wood and masonry.
The body suits, N95 masks, gloves and safety glasses 鈥渁re things we would typically have in the lab,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou always wear a mask. You always wear gloves. If you鈥檙e worried about something splashing on you, you wear a body suit.鈥�
After a friend who works at local hospitals mentioned the critical need for safety equipment, Curran contacted the mayor鈥檚 office with an offer: 27 body suits, 73 N95 masks and 200 gloves. He quickly got a response from the Houston Health Foundation, accepting the offer.
As hospitals brace for the battle, they鈥檙e working to create capacity by stopping elective and other procedures, all to focus on securing the necessary supplies and equipment to give their staff the best chance to win 鈥� with just a little extra help from some caring Coogs.