In an effort to further mitigate risk from the novel coronavirus to critical health-care workers and the community, a Kansas City-area health system has deployed Black & Veatch’s first portable Rapid Modular Health System (RaMHS) structure. But there is broader potential for the RaMHS system as demand for rapid deployment, plug-and-play COVID-19 screening sites rises from workplaces or government facilities – where speed and safety are critical to restoring operations.
The uniquely adaptable RaMHS, which provides an alternate testing site outside of traditional emergency room or doctor office settings, could give business and government leaders an effective tool to help return-to-office efforts. RaMHS units can be deployed at health-care sites, office parks, government locations, commercial and industrial businesses, and retail locations to provide reliable, affordable coronavirus screening sites on-site within days. Identifying potential risk factors outside of high-traffic, primary workspaces can reduce the spread of the virus, as well as other pathogens such as the flu virus.
Developed by Black & Veatch – a global infrastructure leader with vast experience in pathogen-tracking methods and the construction of biological safety-related facilities – the RaMHS units are scalable, intermodal containers transformed into comfortable sites for COVID-19 screening and other diagnostic purposes. These windowed, 20- or 40-foot modules are powered by electricity directly from the grid or a generator, and the weather-resistant, lockable space provides security for personnel and equipment in any environment.
The climate-controlled modules are designed with negative pressure isolation systems and both HEPA and ultraviolet germicidal filters to remove 99.984 percent of particulates 0.3 microns or greater in size, and they can be quickly daisy-chained to meet community and regional demands. Screening of professionals returning to work can be done in a facility removed from primary office setting and in conjunction with other personal protective gear, this design can reduce exposure risks.
“Given the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global community, the ongoing efforts to flatten the virus’ curve and minimize risks to the health-care system, it’s crucial to get alternative testing and screening facilities set up quickly,” said Randy Castro, president of Black & Veatch’s federal business and the former commanding general of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ South Atlantic Division. “With offices in roughly 100 countries, we have the scale, experience and networking power to work with hospital systems, governments, both state and local, and businesses looking to deploy RaMHS sites now and in anticipation of future needs.”
The RaMHS program follows the recent announcement of Black & Veatch’s Growth Accelerator incubator to find and collaborate with startups and other innovators to expedite solutions that soften COVID-19’s impact. As a virtual, remote effort, the 2020 Black & Veatch IgniteX COVID-19 Response Accelerator already is engaging companies and entrepreneurs who have real-time ideas about how to mitigate the coronavirus outbreak but who need help commercializing, rapidly deploying and scaling those concepts.
