June 8, 2012
One of the responsibilities Bridget and I will have during our time at QECH is to oversee the clinical study of a bubble CPAP machine, which was designed by Rice students 3 years ago. CPAP, or Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, is a method used to apply gentle pressure to a baby’s nostrils to help keep their airways open (allowing them to breath better!). Jocelyn (a Rice employee and former Rice undergrad) has been at QECH since January overseeing a clinical study of the bubble CPAP machine, which she helped to design. She will be returning to the United States for the month of July, during which Bridget and I will oversee the clinical study. In the meantime, Jocelyn has been busy showing Bridget and me the ropes!
The Rice bubble CPAP system works by maintaining positive airway pressure during spontaneous breathing, preventing upper airway collapse, and improving oxygenation. The entire bubble CPAP system costs under $150 to manufacture, which is much cheaper than traditional CPAP systems. Here is a photo of the Rice CPAP system:
During the month of July, Bridget and I will be responsible for collecting study data, maintaining the CPAP study equipment, and collaborating with the QECH nurses to monitor the CPAP patients. We have spent most of our time at QECH thus far learning how to oversee the study, but by the middle of next week we should be running most things on our own!