To aid in mass testing to better combat the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) released the design of their supported specimen collection booth (SCB) to the public.
In a virtual presser led by DOST Secretary Fortunato de la Peña, DOST said it is giving the design for free to fabricators and engineers to help augment the government’s drive to beat COVID-19.
“We believe that opening up the SCB design to the public will support in the government’s drive to conduct mass testing and immediately provide help to those afflicted with COVID-19,” he said.
The said design, created by DOST-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development Startup Grant Awardee Future Aviation and Maritime Enterprise, Inc., will be made available to fabricators or engineering groups starting April 28 through DOST offices and the DOST-PCIEERD website, www.pcieerd.dost.gov.ph.
The fabrication of these booths should strictly adhere to the specifications recommended by the DOST, with the approval of the Department of Health (DOH).
The design of the Specimen Collection Booth includes:
- The booth structure is made of angle bars for the frames, plywood walls and clear water-proof acrylic window. The booth measures 1m x 1.5m x 2.25m (L-W-H).
- The booth is equipped with a 0.5 horsepower window type aircon and a roof-mounted ventilator with filter.
- A heavy-duty 4" caster wheel is provided for mobility.
- The slanted specimen table is ergonomically designed to provide enough leg space for both the patient and the tester.
- Positive Pressure is maintained inside the booth using a pressure sensor to prevent outside contamination from getting inside the booth.
- The SCB is also equipped with a Bluetooth speaker for a clear and audible conveyance of instructions to the patient.
- The booth is also provided with the following:
- 2 Monobloc chairs
- Semi-disposable untexturized nitrile gloves
- Disposable clear plastic gloves
- Disinfectant dispenser
- Plastic bag for disposing used plastic gloves
- The booth features the FAME-designed temperature scanner, an additional accessory of the SCB where the temperature of patients may be obtained and recorded in the cloud for easy monitoring of hotpots in areas where the SCB is installed. The temperature scanner is developed and owned by FAME, Inc and may be sourced directly from FAME, Inc.
DOST is distributing 132 SCBs across the country to help in the mass testing efforts of government. The SCBs were jointly funded by DOST-PCIEERD and the DOST – Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD).
DOST PCIEERD Executive Director Enrico Paringit said it will continue to be on the lookout for innovations that can help win the war against COVID-19.
“We will be relentless in our pursuit in finding ways to fight this menacing disease and save more lives. We will remain to make innovation work for the people and ensure a competitive edge for our frontliners,” he said.
Likewise, DOST-PCHRD Executive Director Dr. Jaime C. Montoya extends his appreciation to all researchers who tirelessly find solutions to problems related to COVID19. He said, “At this time of great uncertainty, Filipino ingenuity has once again emerged to find solutions to curb COVID19. We thank all the researchers who showed overwhelming energy, resilience, and commitment. Together, we will get through this and DOST-PCHRD will continue its mission to find research-based solutions that will address the most pressing problems the country is facing.”
