The year 2020 has started and, as with all educational institutions in the world, Facens has prepared for a year full of activities, a campus full of students and events. And then, the Covid-19 pandemic arrived in Brazil. But, despite the uncertainties and enormous challenges, Facens did not fold its arms and outlined plans to help fight the virus. In the second week of March, Facens adapted its academic activities to online and the campus closed.
However, some of the Innovation Centers continued in full swing. We combine knowledge, innovation and technology to carry out various actions to combat the new virus that has spread throughout the world. “We live in an unprecedented moment and, being a recognized institution in the technology sector and in the social sphere, we feel the need and the duty to contribute in some way”, explains Paulo Roberto Freitas de Carvalho, Dean of Facens.
With a first-rate team, Facens’ initiatives also counted on the collaboration of Dr. Karen Abrão, the doctor in charge of Health and Health Technology at Facens. The needs of the moment were mapped and the work started with PPE for health professionals, then intubation boxes, support for tablets and even an educational game. “The health sector was our priority. Professionals on the front line needed PPE to protect them as much as possible from the virus, still unknown. We had technology to our advantage, so we took action. ” says Dr. Karen Abrão.
The first action led by Facens was the creation of a “farm” of 3D printers to contribute to the initiative of the maker movement, which took place across the national territory, aiming to assist institutions and health professionals. During a month, 14 3D printers and 7 FabLab professionals from Facens produced around 1,000 facial shields to protect doctors and nurses. Institutions such as Hospital das Clínicas in São Paulo and public hospitals in Sorocaba benefited from protective equipment. The project to produce facial shields at the institution was led by Antoni Romitti, with the teams from Fab Lab and Smart Mall Facens, who surpassed the production of 10,000 facial shields by September 2020. “The priority has always been to deliver facial shields within safety standards, working with the maximum capacity of our printers in order to make the parts available as quickly as possible,” says Ântoni Romitti.
Still with the production of facial shields in progress, a new need for health professionals arises. Equipment that was safe to perform the intubation procedure. The idea of the new protective equipment was brought to Facens by Santa Casa de Sorocaba. The hospital contacted the University Center in search of assistance for the development of a prototype of an intubation box, which would be placed on top of patients’ heads (without touching them), where the doctor inserts his hands and performs intubation, while remaining protected from secretions commonly expelled during this type of procedure. A model with better ergonomics was developed by the Fab Lab Facens team and approved by health professionals from Santa Casa de Sorocaba, ICESP (Cancer Institute of the State of São Paulo) and Sorocaba Regional Hospital. “We felt very excited when Santa Casa approached us to develop this intubation box. Now we have not one, but two PPE in production, ”explains the Facens rector.
Facens produced and delivered 25 tablet holders to Hospital das Clínicas, used so that hospitalized and isolated patients due to COVID-19 could communicate with their families. The HC received the donation of 40 devices and turned to the Fab Lab from Facens for the production of most supports. The tablets were placed on a support with wheels, to facilitate mobility and allow them to stay at the height of bedridden patients. The structures produced at Fab Lab Facens ensured the fixation of the devices on the base and contribute to the lower risk of contagion by COVID-19 through manipulation. “A simple equipment that made a huge difference in the hospital environment in times of pandemic, as patients needed to communicate with their loved ones and we were able to facilitate this path through the supports for tablets”, says Dr. Karen Abrão.
“We had already produced equipment for healthcare professionals, but we were still feeling that something related to education was missing.” It was from this perception, reported by the Dean of Facens, Paulo RF de Carvalho, that the game Heroes of Pandemia was born. Developed by the Laboratory of Innovation in Games and Apps (LIGA Facens) the game is aimed at raising awareness about the spread of the new coronavirus and was made available in 2 languages, free of charge, for Android or IOS desktop or mobile phone, through the link heroisdapandemia.com.br . The project, focused on the general public and which unites information and entertainment, was developed in partnership with the Newton Paiva University Center, in Minas Gerais. According to Professor Wilson Marcondes de Oliveira Jr, coordinator of the Games and Apps Innovation Laboratory (LIGA Facens), through 7 mini games the player will be able to learn, in a playful and fun way, what are the steps to avoid the spread of the virus. Each mini game has an explanatory message regarding the measure. For example, the step “Wash your hands well”, shows images of the right steps to carry out the process effectively and eliminate the coronavirus. The score for each “phase” is computed, generating a total after all. The player can register the performance in a national ranking, just be logged in with Facebook. The Heroes of Pandemia also has a direct link to the Ministry of Health portal, where the player finds all the necessary information about COVID-19 “I believe that this game has exactly what young people need at that moment – correct information and distraction in one place, ”says Paulo Roberto Freitas de Carvalho, dean of Facens.
The work focused on combating the virus was continuous and improved with each new demand. In addition to facial shields, intubation boxes, support for tablets and an educational game, Facens also provided health equipment for the training of professionals who would be working at the Campaign hospital in the Sorocaba region and supported social actions such as Doa Sorocaba and Desafio 10×10.
“These were some of the ways that Facens found to do its part and help health professionals and the community in such a delicate moment. We understand that our greatest mission, as professional citizens, is to make a difference in the environment we are in. Our community needed help and we did not hesitate to take the necessary steps. We are very proud to have contributed in some way ”, says the president of Facens.