Innovation and technology embrace the new normal with locally produced PPE

As the COVID-19 epidemic was raging globally in March, personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare staff were in acute shortage. Some countries even imposed export control of PPE and raw materials to ensure adequate protective gear for local use. In addition to stepping up of procurement efforts around the globe, Hospital Authority (HA) has also been proactively reaching out to local suppliers to explore the opportunity of domestic production of PPE with a view to strengthening and stabilising the supply.

In early February, the Multidisciplinary Simulation and Skills Centre (MDSSC) of Queen Elizabeth Hospital collaborated with the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) to produce frames for eye visors, and facilitated local mass production of face shields. Dr George Ng, Associate Director of MDSSC and Consultant of Intensive Care Unit, suggests that PPE is crucial for both our frontline medical staff to combat coronavirus and the Centre to provide high‑risk procedures training. “I also need protective equipment, therefore I understand our staff’s worries about inadequate PPE supply for work and we are trying our best to maximise the supply,” he says. “Producing frames for eye visors with the 3D printers in our Centre is limited in both speed and volume. In this regard, we are working with University Research Facility in 3D Printing (U3DP) of PolyU to produce nearly a hundred eye visor frames per day with over dozens of 3D printing machines.”

Given the shortage of face shields, 3D printing technology was further employed to expedite the production. Following the approval from the management, colleagues from Infection, Emergency and Contingency team as well as the Procurement Department of Head Office immediately followed up on the design, production and procurement of face shields with U3DP. With support from local manufacturers, the production of face shields has reached as many as 30,000 per day, thereby alleviating the concerns of frontline staff.

Moreover, with support from the innovation and technology sector, NASK respirators, which conform to international standards, have been introduced to HA’s PPE array as an alternative of N95 respirator. As the situation evolves unpredictably, it is a juncture for collaboration between the medical field and local manufacturers for self-sustained supply, while embodying the spirit of solidarity in overcoming difficult times.