Temporary ICU units i.v. COVID-19

For several weeks now, Dutch hospitals have served as the backdrop for the fight against COVID-19. In Intensive Care (ICU), the number of corona patients is rising faster than the number of ICU beds. The capacity of the current 1150 available ICU beds is expected by RIVM to be far too little in the short term. Gortemaker Algra Feenstra, in collaboration with Interflow, has drawn up a plan for realizing temporary ICU beds.

Emergency hospital

Thinking of China, where an emergency hospital was erected within 10 days, surely something had to be invented here in the Netherlands as well? So we joined forces with Interflow, a company specialized in the prefab and modular construction, validation and maintenance of operating rooms, (temporary) laboratories/clean rooms and laminar air flow units.

IC unit in empty halls

We have developed an IC unit of 10 IC beds and facilitating functions which can be placed within a very short time in, for example, existing sports and exhibition halls, vacant atria or spaces in or around hospitals. The aim is to have this unit produced and built within 3-4 weeks. By specifically assuming corona patients, the beds can be set up in a room and no individual rooms are needed. This allows the entire unit to be easily pressurized and allows personnel to keep protective equipment on.

The design

As mentioned, the design involves an IC unit of 10 IC beds. An open arrangement with care stations in the middle provides a good overview. Because of the arrangement of beds, multiple patients can be connected to one machine in case of a possible shortage of respirators. All support functions are located within the unit, making for very short walking lines for staff. Both supply and disposal of goods and waste can be retrieved through outside doors without disturbing the care process.

The entire unit is constructed from prefabricated wall elements of standard dimensions. This is necessary for fast and inexpensive construction. Furthermore, the precast elements are largely self-supporting and little additional construction is required. For a safe and clean environment, the unit will have its own air treatment.

Call for cooperation

We realize that we are offering only part of the puzzle. Therefore, we are looking for other parties interested in participating in this initiative. We are thinking about suppliers of medical equipment, other furniture, as well as healthcare institutions and government agencies. Getting the entire plan off the ground will require an integrated approach, with a nearby hospital playing a major role from their medical responsibility. Despite these challenges, we hope to be able to do our part.