Southmed began producing ventilation hoods in response to the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.
Helmet-type interfaces have been used for the delivery of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) and
the administration of positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) for a number of years. There
are a number of articles showing an improved outcome in cases such as acute respiratory
distress syndrome (ARDS). (1). Non-invasive ventilation offers significant advantages
reducing the need for sedation. It also allows for prone positioning with reduced nursing
intensity. Furthermore, there is the 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. (2)
More recent experience has shown PEEP administered via a ventilation hood to be
advantageous for some patients with COVID-19 infection. There is a suggestion of a
reduction in the requirement for invasive ventilation. There is also evidence to suggest
positive pressure via a helmet is preferred by the patient compared to a conventional
face mask. The problems of regular leakage of aerosols around the mask particularly with
patient movement is greatly reduced with the use of a ventilation hood.
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 on its free-breathing valve).
This potentially reduces the risk of cross infection between medical staff
and the patient.
In 2020 Professor Antonio Pesenti (head of Intensive care medicine at the University of
Milan, Italy) presented evidence recommending the use of hood ventilation in certain cases
with COVID-19 infection. His findings suggest 20-35% of patients improve with the use of
non-invasive ventilation via the hood interface avoiding the need for intubation. “CPAP is
advised using a helmet in preference to a face mask interface. CPAP value are set
between 10 and 12 cm H20 according to patient’s needs, tolerance and any side-
effects”.
(1) Patel BK, et al. Effect of noninvasive ventilation delivered by hood vs face mask on
the rate of endotracheal intubation in patients with acute respiratory distress
syndrome”. JAMA, 2016, June 14, 315(22). 2435-2441.
(2) Davide Chiumello Paolo Pelosi Eleonora Carlesso Paolo Severgnini Michele Aspesi
Chiara Gamberoni Massimo Antonelli Giorgio Conti Maurizio Chiaranda Luciano
Gattinoni. “Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation delivered by helmet vs. standard
face mask”. Intensive Care Med (2003) 29:1671–1679.
© 2020, SouthMED Limited, New Zealand, All rights reserved.
