Delta, CO (April 29, 2021) – Delta Health is the first healthcare system on the Western Slope of Colorado to implement the innovative CleanSpace HALO personal respiratory protective system through a $24,780 grant funded by the Next50 Initiative. The HALO system is created from medical-grade silicone that is more secure than disposable masks and can be disinfected for continual use without losing efficiency.
“The HALO personal protective equipment (PPE) is a game-changer, and we are so glad to see that Delta Health has sought out cutting-edge healthcare technology options for our staff,” said Jody Roeber, Senior Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer for Delta Health. “We are grateful to the Next50 Initiative for making this possible and for giving us this unique opportunity to better serve our staff and community.”
Next50 Initiative is a Colorado-based private foundation dedicated to funding mission-driven initiatives that improve the lives of the older adult population and their caregivers. They seek to fund game-changing efforts to improve and sustain the quality of life for people in their second 50 years.
This project champions innovation, one of Delta Health’s values, while also finding a creative solution to ensure that everyone can thrive as they age.
“This system is also unique in that our patients can see our mouths when we are speaking since the masks are clear,” said Jessica Walters, RN, Infection Prevention and Patient Advocate for Delta Health. “For the folks we serve who are hearing impaired, reading lips is often the key to communication. My hope is this system will help those folks understand their plan of care, understand what medications are being administered and why; or simply seeing an encouraging smile from their provider.”
The HALO is essentially a mask that offers the same protection as a Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) but without the bulk, hoses and belts, said Walters. The system eliminates the need for stockpiling highly expensive disposable masks since the HALO masks can be disinfected through something called a V-PRO cleaning system for an indefinite amount of time.
“Jessica Walters has gone above and beyond this past year to ensure our staff has the resources and support they need to take care of their patients and the community,” said Janel Webb, RN, BSN and the Quality, Risk and Education Director for Delta Health. “This technology is something that will protect our staff and will be sustainable in the years to come.”
Delta Health will have the HALO system at their hospital at the end of April and plans to begin education, training and implementation in May 2021.
“The safety of our patients and nurses that care for our COVID-19 patients is the most important thing to me,” said Walters. “It has been a difficult year with many unpredictable factors; I want my fellow healthcare workers to count on having PPE that will keep them safe even through unpredictable times.”
To learn more about Delta Health’s safe care commitment, visit deltahealthco.org/covid. To learn more about the CleanSpace respirators, visit cleanspacetechnology.com/healthusa/.
