American Press

A Lafayette doctor and engineer have created a new tool for hospitals in the fight against COVID-19 — the “Nurse Saver.”

The device, which recently received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, is thought to be a game changer during this pandemic.

Invented by Dr. Douglas Clement of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital and Erick Knezeck, co-owner of Oceanetics, the device is a self-contained negative pressure hood for COVID-19 patients who are hospitalized.

“The ‘Nurse Saver’ can help give an extra layer of protection when we’re intubating or caring for an intubated patient. It makes sure our ICU doctors and nurses are well protected, an extra layer. It’s the opportunity not to lose that staff and protect our people,” Clement told KLFY News.

Clement said the hood is placed over the patient’s head and then connected to the hospital’s air system. Fresh air goes in and the contaminated air from the patient is filtered out.

Six rubber shrouds contain armholes so that health care workers can stick their arms in to access the patient to intubate, hook up monitors, insert tubes or deliver medications without breaking the seal. The contaminants are sucked out by the nurse saver, which filters the contaminated air.

The device can also be sanitized and reused between patients.

The real game changer, Knezeck said, is that this device could allow family members to visit their loved ones still hospitalized with the disease.

“One of the most tragic stories I’ve heard is that — I’m going to the hospital. I don’t feel good — 30, 60, 90 days later your loved one you haven’t seen is passed on,” Knezeck said. “It could change things, especially in the future, to allow people to see their loved ones while they’re being treated with a disease like this that’s highly contagious.”

On June 13, the FDA approved the NRSVR-100 design for Emergency Use Authorization on COVID-19 patients. And as of July 24, there are four prototypes being used at Lafayette General.

We wish the pair luck in this exciting new venture and hope this really will be the game changer the world needs right now.