Rotarians in Lithuania and Chicago, Illinois, USA, promote the use of “bubble helmets” and potentially lessen the need for mechanical ventilators for COVID-19 patients who struggle to breathe on their own.
“Through Rotary, we’re able to connect so many people around the world. It’s a great way to collaborate in this battle.”
The group worked with intensive care unit clinicians, healthcare leaders, helmet manufacturers, technology professionals, and marketing managers. They developed a short questionnaire for clinicians and hospital leaders worldwide, gathered practice-based knowledge on noninvasive ventilation for COVID-19 patients, devised an online platform to connect suppliers with demand, and pursued funding to finance the production of more helmets.
“Traditional ventilators used with intubation are a painful intervention into the body and require trained medical staff" says Viktorija Trimbel, a member of the Vilnius Lituanica club, who was a mentor during Hack the Crisis. Bubble helmets are noninvasive and supply oxygen without the need for intubation.
“You want to avoid intubation for as long as you can, because generally the mortality rate on intubation is fairly high,” said Aurika Savickaite, a registered nurse and member of the Chicagoland Lithuanians (Westmont) club.
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