Isolation pod can help cruise set sail once again

As the cruise industry prepares to resume operation, it is making necessary changes to rebuild trust and confidence from passengers, governments and crewmembers. Safety policies, practices and equipment are put in to place to mitigate the risk of virus spreading onboard.

One thing this pandemic has taught us is the importance of safely isolating and transporting infectious patients off ship.

– The EpiShuttle is a single patient isolation and transport system. It enables safe transport of contagious patients, on cruise ships. It completely isolates the patient while at the same time allows for necessary care and treatment during transport, says Ellen Cathrine Andersen, CEO of EpiGuard, the Norwegian company behind the transport system EpiShuttle, which is in use worldwide.

The American College of Emergency Physicians recommended patient isolation systems already in 2019: “The Health care Guidelines on medical facility includes having at least one isolation room or the capability to provide isolation of patients” (ACEP 2019).

– The cruise ship industry must prepare for contagious infections among passengers or crewmembers. Having an EpiShuttle onboard increase preparedness and lower the risk of an uncontrolled virus outbreak, Andersen, says.

Major cruise line companies, such as Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean Cruise, implement new and detailed safety policies including health screening before embarking.As all cruise companies adapt, major players look into how to mitigate risk by adding new technology to handle any new outbreaks.

– The EpiShuttle allows patient monitoring and full intensive care treatment during transport, including emergency procedures like intubation. In addition, for Covid-19 patients, the adjustable backrest is extremely important in order to keep coughing at a minimum. The backrest and the spacious transparent hard-top, makes the EpiShuttle comfortable. Comfort and reduced feeling of constriction for the patients inside the EpiShuttle was important aspects when designing the product, Andersen explains.

The Covid-19 pandemic has taught us the importance of access to protective equipment, and safe transport of infected patients is crucial. The EpiShuttle is in use worldwide during the pandemic, in hospitals and in both air- and road ambulances, protecting health care workers and saving lives. To fulfill the promises made to passengers and crewmembers, having an EpiShuttle on board all cruise ships could be part of the new safety standard onboard.

– The EpiShuttle is now in use in the British, Canadian, Norwegian and Danish air forces, as well as several EMS services all over the world. It is NATO stock listed and CE-marked as a class one medical device. Now, we will also serve the Cruise industry, Andersen concludes.