DuctSox, a leading manufacturer of fabric ductwork and air dispersion systems, is now helping health care systems handle the overflow of patients due to COVID-19.

DuctSox just finished production of a run of fabric ductwork systems for medical tents at one of the largest not-for-profit integrated health care systems in the United States. According to healthcare providers, these emergency facilities are part of proactive preparations for the anticipated surge of patients coming to emergency rooms with mild COVID-19 symptoms. The tents are a critical protective measure, as they allow hospitals to separate suspected COVID-19 patients from the general hospital population. The tents also help the hospitals efficiently conserve personal protective equipment (PPE) as they are designed for minimal staffing.

Due to the rapid spread of the virus, these emergency structures were required extremely quickly. To fulfill this need, DuctSox made these orders its top production priority. When news of the order spread within the DuctSox plant, employees from other divisions volunteered to help with production, including many who worked overtime. The first wave of equipment was produced and picked up the next day with the balance of the order shipping two days later. 

"Making projects like these our top priority was an easy decision,” said Dan Anderson, DuctSox Vice-President of Sales. “DuctSox takes great pride knowing we made a difference in our community."

There are numerous benefits for using DuctSox in these applications. As the entire length of the duct acts as a diffuser, air is efficiently discharged evenly to manage temperature for patients and staff. Additionally, the antimicrobial fabric of the ducts inhibits bacteria growth in a clean environment, while the zippered sections can be removed and laundered as needed. Installers benefit as well. The lightweight and simplified duct design allow temporary structures to incorporate air distribution with little to no overall load on the ceiling of the temporary structure.

Additional project information can be found here: https://authoring.ductsox.com/applications/medical-emergency-tents.