Celebration, FL - As the number of positive COVID-19 cases rise, health care systems are reaching critically low levels of protective equipment for workers.
However, one employee at an AdventHealth prototype lab in Celebration says they've found a simple solution to help combat the problem for clinicians.
That employee, Jodi Fails – a product development engineer manager at the AdventHealth Nicholson Center – usually used their 3D printer for novel items such as patient’s hip or tools. But, it's now being used for face shields.
“It’s an honor to be able to assist our team members as they fight this pandemic,” Fails said. “We may not be providing direct patient care, but through the lab we can help protect our colleagues on the front lines.”
AdventHealth says Fails began her research and found designs for face shields created by her fellow 3D community online.
Much attention statewide and nationwide has focused on the need for surgical masks, which are usually be found to be in short supply, but face shields – clear, curved pieces of plastic attached to a headband — are also vital and in short supply.
Following the creation of a successful prototype, Fails and the AdventHealth Nicholson Center team then enlisted the help of academic and industry partners to produce the equipment.
Companies of all sizes are taking part in the effort, including Universal Orlando Resort, Cimquest, Taz 3D and Out of This World Embroidery.
According to AdventHealth, production is currently at 1,000 a week, with a preliminary goal of 20,000. The shields are being distributed to AdventHealth hospitals across Central Florida. And they say if more production partners join the efforts, those numbers could go up.
AdventHealth further added that face shields are just one part of their broader effort to combat shortages caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’re also looking at other supplies,” Fails said. “We’re working across care teams, with physicians and respiratory therapists, making lists of what could be a shortage and how we can find solutions for it.”
