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VHA Innovation Ecosystem (VHA IE) has partnered with Veteran nonprofit Challenge America on a series of virtual COVID-19 Maker Challenge competitions, all focused on the needs of different subsets of the essential workforce as they cope with the current pandemic. Through these challenges, interdisciplinary teams of subject matter experts from inside and outside of VA design solutions to address the specific challenges of essential workers like first responders and environmental management employees.
Solutions, like the ones below, developed during the challenges are continuing their design and testing phases at VA medical centers through support from the VHA Innovators Network (iNET), allowing VA to keep Veterans at the forefront of health care during COVID-19.
Team Quickdraw Sanitizer McGraw
To make it easier for health care providers to carry and access the personal protective equipment (PPE) that they need regularly throughout the day, this team designed a 3D printed storage belt, which uses detachable boxes that contain single PPE items as well as a separate unit that can hold a hand sanitizer bottle. The design prevents cross-contamination of items in unopened boxes and allows for easy cleaning between each room. The team is working with the Cincinnati VA Medical Center to review and test the design.
Team Testing Case
To enable forward triage for COVID-19 testing, the team developed vacuumed-form inserts for an existing sturdy case that accommodates all PPE, telehealth equipment, and items needed for testing. The case is now also fully equipped with data connectivity to conduct home visits regardless of Wi-Fi or LTE access. This project recently was selected as a Seed investment through iNET’s Spark-Seed-Spread Innovation Investment Program to conduct further refinement and pilot testing, in partnership with the VA Pittsburgh Health Care System.
Team Breathable Mask
Team Breathable Mask took on the challenge of reducing the discomfort of wearing a mask and O2 nasal cannula tubing at the same time, which often causes skin ulceration behind the ears. The team designed a 3D-printed flexible band that goes behind the head and holds both the mask straps and nasal cannula up and off the ears to prevent pressure-related injuries. Discussions are currently underway with multiple VA sites to review and test the device.
Join the Challenge
The fifth and final Challenge in the series will tackle challenges faced by disaster relief workers as they respond to natural disasters in the COVID-19 context. The COVID-19 Maker Challenge unfolds over the course of a week through virtual tools like Zoom and Slack, kicking off October 9 and culminating in a two-day maker weekend (October 17-18) and award ceremony (October 18).
Be a part of the solution to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on this community and their crucial work by joining or forming a team of ‘Makers’ to participate in the program. To learn more and to register, go to https://makerchallenge.crowdicity.com/.
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