WA Health has taken on the initiative to make and supply its own protective shields for its front-line workers during the COVID-19 emergency.
The new venture has been led by biomedical engineers from the East Metropolitan Health Service’s Centre for Implant Technology and Retrieval Analysis (CITRA), who are also overseeing production.
The six-member team is based at Royal Perth Hospital and is internationally renowned for its expertise in assessing the safety and quality of medical products and devices.
It will ensure the locally-made equipment, which has been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration, meets the high safety and quality standards required for hospitals’ personal protective equipment (PPE).
The CITRA also produces customised implants and medical devices for use in WA hospitals.
Members of the team began investigating the feasibility of producing PPE after recognising their expertise could be applied to assist with the COVID-19 response.
Following their initial due diligence, the team joined forces with engineers from the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, University of WA, Chief Scientist Peter Klinken and local industry.
The collaborators assessed designs and manufacturing capability, obtained clinical approval for the final prototypes and ensured ongoing access to quality, locally available materials.
The CITRA will be the official manufacturer of the shields, with actual production outsourced to local plastics engineering firm, Adarsh Australia.
Two types of shield will be produced — a standard shield to be used by general hospital staff as well as a more specialised design for Ear, Nose and Throat surgeons.
