Hillel Yaffe has performed a first experiment of splitting the respirator into 2 patients • The model was first tried in New York • “The ideal is one machine for one person - but it is a practical and logical solution for the patient or staff, given the situation where there is an increase in the rate of patients required for the soul. "

• Is the solution to the lack of respiratory machines? // Photo: Liron Moldovan

Is there a simple and effective solution to the problem of respiratory deficiency? The Hillel Yaffe hospital in Hadera initiates a particularly creative solution to one of the most talked about problems in the corona virus, and is the expected shortage of hospital respirators, as the corona virus spreads and causes a burden on patients requiring soul.

This is an idea that was first published today in New York, whereby "Big Apple" hospitals began using one respirator for two people. Staff members of the Department of Medical Engineering at Hillel Yaffe began examining the feasibility of the move as early as Thursday, and it is currently a default outlet.

How will this be done? It's about creating two soul-splitting, separate for each patient, in one machine. Referred to as respiratory rate, oxygen concentration and volume of volume that will be determined by the attending physician. The procedure is suitable for patients who do not have self-breathing, that is, the respirator must be fully dependent.

"It sounds not very sophisticated," explains Asi Haliba, soul and anesthesiologist at the Hillel Yaffe Medical Center, "which is certainly not the case we would like it to be, because the ideal is one machine for one person - but it is a practical and logical solution for the patient or To the team, given a situation where there is a lack of respiratory machinery and an increase in the rate of patients for whom the soul is required. "

The first "tool experiment" was carried out as mentioned Thursday last week, by medical technician Department of Medical Engineering Assi Haliba Vigal Winner, and was successfully crowned.

"We created two splitters for the single entry of the device, which in effect created a doubling of the inputs and outputs of the gas supply in the machine. The device itself is tuned to double soul volume, in addition to adjusting the breathing rate, oxygen concentration and more. The system creates complete separation between patient and patient, which also Creates a non-transmission of infections, "Haliva said of the experiment in question.

According to Hillel Yaffe Hospital, among other medical engineering departments of other hospitals expressed enthusiasm for the innovative idea.

"We all hope that this creative solution is not needed, but it is better to prepare and find alternative solutions, anyway. I am proud of my team and their full-fledged thinking," said Bezalel Meirenz, director of the medical center's medical engineering department.

As revealed by the "Corona Committee" at the Knesset last week, in Israel there are about 1,500 respirators in total, and the Director General of the Ministry of Health noted that together with the existing machines in the IDF, there are a total of 2,800 machines. The State of Israel has ordered another 7,000 respirators, and the possibility of local production of such machines is also being considered.