High potential of technology to face new respiratory viruses: mechanical ventilation devices for effective healthcare to next pandemic emergencies

Abstract

Some countries in the presence of unforeseen Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), have experienced lower total deaths, though higher numbers of COVID-19 related infections. Results here suggest that one of the explanations is the critical role of ventilator technology in clinical health environment to cope with the initial stage of COVID-19 pandemic crisis. Statistical evidence shows that a large number of ventilators or breathing devices in countries (26.76 units per 100,000 inhabitants) is associated with a fatality rate of 1.44% (December 2020), whereas a higher fatality rate given by 2.46% is in nations with lower numbers of ventilator devices (10.38 average units per 100,000 people). These findings suggest that a large number of medical ventilators in clinical setting has a high potential for more efficient healthcare and improves the effective preparedness of crisis management to cope with new respiratory pandemic diseases in society. Hence, a forward-thinking and technology-oriented strategy in healthcare sector, based on investments in high-tech ventilator devices and other new medical technologies, can help clinicians deliver effective care and reduce negative effects of present and future respiratory infectious diseases, in particular when new drugs and appropriate treatments are missing in clinical environment to face unknown respiratory viral agents .

Keywords: Artificial ventilation; Breathing devices; COVID-19 pandemic; Coronavirus Disease 2019; Effective healthcare; Fatality rate; Innovation policy; Mechanical ventilation; Medical ventilators; Pandemic preparedness; Public health preparedness/response; Respiratory therapies; Ventilation machines; Ventilator technology innovation.

Graphical abstract

Fig. 1

Geographical distribution in countries of main firms producing mechanical ventilators. Note: The USA has 13 firms, Germany 3, Switzerland 2, China 2, the UK 1 firm, Ireland 1, France 1, Sweden 1, Italy 1, the Netherlands 1, India 1, Russia 1 and finally New Zealand 1 firm.

Fig. 2

Comparative analysis of COVID-19 fatality rates between countries with high and low numbers of mechanical ventilators.