Device Invented by U.P. Scientists Plays a Crucial Role in the Fight Against COVID-19

More than a hundred RxBox units, which can measure and monitor several different patients' stats, were delivered to the Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) on Tuesday, March 31. These biomedical devices were developed by scientists from the University of the Philippines in partership with teh DOST. 

A total of 106 RxBox units were delivered to the UP-PGH, said Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Fortunato de la Peña in a statement. The device can measure a patient's temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation, uterine contractions, and electrocardiogram readings. Not only will this make monitoring a patient easier, it can also "reduce contact between patients diagnosed with COVID-19 and healthcare workers," noted de la Peña.

The RxBox is capable of taking many measurements in one go. The touch-screen tablet attached allows health workers to save and send essential data to doctors in real time. Diagnostics can also be stored in the device.

Two wards in UP-PGH were retrofitted to receive COVID-19 patients in just five days. It was officially opened on March 31. There are currently six COVID-19 patients being treated at UP-PGH.

This story originally appeared on Spot.ph. Minor edits have been made by the Esquiremag.ph editors.