Global firm to help develop medical equipment for COVID-19

O.C. Tanner is converting its manufacturing space for the operation and donating vital gear to hospitals

Global firm to help develop medical equipment for COVID-19

O.C. Tanner has converted a portion of its manufacturing space to develop and produce vital medical equipment needed to fight the COVID-19 outbreak. It will be donating this equipment to hospitals in dire need of resources.

The employee recognition and workplace culture organisation worked in partnership with local hospitals and other experts in the US to develop prototypes for face shield for doctors and nurses, ventilator parts and adaptors for powered air purifying respirators (PAPR).

The first order of PAPR adapters was donated to the University of Utah hospital on March 30, providing medical professionals with needed protective gear.

“This is a humbling project to be part of,” said Josh McEwan, O.C. Tanner’s director of product development. “The hospital staff are amazing people who are currently facing uniquely hazardous conditions while they serve our communities.

“This is a difficult time for everyone across the world, but it’s also a unique opportunity for us to help people thrive in a different way, and to be part of something so vitally important to saving lives.”

READ MORE: COVID-19: How the world is caring for frontline workers

CEO Dave Petersen said the organisation is simply doing their duty responding to a global need for such vital equipment.

“This is what the critical frontline needs to do their jobs — these hospitals and their healthcare heroes are our clients,” said Petersen. “We care about them.

“It seems perfectly natural that our people would help their people now, when it matters most. And we want to make this part of our contribution to battling COVID-19.”

O.C. Tanner plans to continue creating and distributing PAPR and other lifesaving equipment for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. The company is ramping up production to continue supporting hospital and medical workers across the US and around the world.

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