Summary
During the Covid-19 pandemic it was difficult for hospital staff to see patients face to face. Once a patient had been seen, staff had to wait a set period before they could use the room again for risk of infection.
CliniCabin is a self-contained unit which allows respiratory patients and clinicians to meet safely.
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We helped to make sure that CliniCabin met with infection control guidelines, so we took advice from clinicians in the region. We have also supported with introductions to other AHSNs, where there is interest from commercial teams. CliniCabin is now being used in Hull, Portsmouth and Essex, and we have been supporting with some of those discussions. The COVID-19 pandemic is still here, it is still contagious and so when is the right time for respiratory services to get back to normal? This solution allows those services to do it now.
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Russ Watkins, Commercial Director for the AHSN NENC
What the project involved
CliniCabin is a portable modular self-contained unit, constructed using a lightweight steel frame and allows patients and clinicians to meet safely in two sealed areas, where they can communicate through a glass screen. A high-speed air exchange filtration system (60 ac/hr) and UV-C lighting thoroughly disinfects rooms quickly between each patient, allowing for multiple daily consultations without risk of infection.
This allowed lung function testing and services such as spirometry to continue throughout the pandemic. The initial site where CliniCabin was installed was at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust.
The AHSN NENC funded the initial air handling capabilities and independent testing of CliniCabin, and is also supporting in its deployment across the North East and North Cumbria. The AHSN NENC also introduced the company to other AHSNs.
AHSN | CliniCabin - Respiratory Diagnostic Services
Outcomes
During the pandemic the installation of CliniCabin meant services could return to a more normal level straightaway. This has made a difference to respiratory patients who need to be regularly monitored and to the hospital which can reduce its waiting times.
Use of the CliniCabin allows much faster turnaround of patients with a new patient able to enter the space six minutes after the last patient left.
Next steps
The AHSN NENC has assisted CliniCabin with introductions to other AHSNs and sites and it is now issue in Essex, Portsmouth and Hull.
