We fund innovative Intubation boxes

During the Covid-19 crisis, critical hospital procedures were cancelled due to the threat of contagion to clinical staff and theatres. This can be life threatening.

Consultant Radiologist Dr Ashley Roberts of Cardiff and Vale UHB has been leading a project with representatives from ENT, Anaesthetics and the Welsh Institute for Minimal Access Therapy, Cardiff to develop physical barriers to reduce the risks of transmission of infection during endotracheal intubation, tracheostomy, bronchoscopy and upper GI endoscopy. 

These vital procedures have been suspended during the Covid-19 crisis because the patient will often exhale breath and saliva at great speed, and preventing the spread of infection caused by this is essential both in the current environment and when the current crisis is behind us.

This has led to the development of the Endoscopy Intubation Box. 

This key item of protective equipment has moved from the prototype stage to production following positive feedback from clinicians and nurses which has led to immediate demand from hospitals across Wales. The boxes are being manufactured locally by a Cardiff company which has adapted its production to meet the increasing demand of this product, which costs £70.