SouthMED

Dunedin, New Zealand

Pulmonary/ Asthma

SouthMED was established in response to the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic and produces ventilation hoods used for the delivery of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) and the administration of positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP). Ventilator hoods have been shown to improve outcomes in cases such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).Non-invasive ventilation offers significant advantages, reducing the need for sedation. It also allows for prone positioning witth reduced nursing intensity. Furthermore, there is a possibility of using the ventilation hoods without the need to be connected to a ventilator, a significant benefit in a COVID pandemic in which ventilator units may be in full use.Helmet ventilation may offer advantages over face mask positive pressure ventilation including increased patient comfort, reduced leakage and failure of the mask to achieve a satisfactory seal. Recent experiences have shown PEEP admistered via ventilation hoods to be advantageous for some patients with COVID-19 infection.While ventilation hoods are not recommended solely as viral ‘containment’ devices, the ventilation hood produced by SouthMED has connections for viral filters on all outflow channels (including its free-breathing valve) reducing the risk of cross infection.