The VHA (Veterans Health Administration) has been at the forefront using 3D printing to advance medicine via their 3D Printing Network — a collaboration between the National Institutes of Health (NIH) 3D Print Exchange, Federal Drug Administration (FDA), and American Makes.
Using their 3D printing knowledge and experience, the VHA is leading the effort to combat COVID-19.
One of the primary difficulties in fighting COVID-19 is getting medical professionals the personal protective equipment (PPE) needed to keep safe while treating those exposed to the virus.
The VHA is determining the viability of 3D printing to solve the PPE shortage.
It must determine if a design is safe, meets standards and is efficient to make.
Designs then must get FDA approval in a timely manner. Distribution is also key — the medical facilities that need 3D printed PPE must be connected with the makers of 3D printed PPE.
This comes at a critical time, with much finger-pointing at supply-chain shortages, most notably at China. Currently, US medical workers are filing a lawsuit against the Chinese government, claiming that the communist party is hoarding PPE and selling for a huge markup.
The issue of PPE affects many people, much further than just the medical workers themselves. Medical workers go home to their families, and if they aren’t properly protected, can place a lot of people at extra risk to contract COVID-19.
As the husband of a medical worker, and father of three boys, I greatly appreciate what the VA is doing, along with everyone collaborating to get PPE into the hands of those who need it.
Our Best Gas Masks article has the latest updates on masks from the CDC, how to make your own, and which ones are still good to buy (without taking them away from health professionals).
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