The bubble CPAP reducing neonatal mortality by 27 percent

This bubble CPAP was an early example of a so-called 'frugal technology,' with pumps and a design that stripped out all the non-essential components and found clever lower-cost substitutes for things like the pumps.  Despite its bare bones approach, the bubble CPAP has withstood the test of time and delivered rugged, predictable results.  

First developed in partnership with a hospital in Malawi, the bubble CPAP has now been used in more than over 1500 hospitals in 35 countries.  The development and scale-up of this device is based on collaborations between Hadleigh Health Technologies, Rice University, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, the Malawian Ministry of Health, Texas Children's Hospital and now Maternova.

In Nigeria, seven hospitals were outfitted with a Pumani bubble CPAP and staff underwent at least two days' training.  The results of the rollout of the first commercial bubble CPAP (improvised devices are often used) had the following positive results (taken from the published article on the study):

Implementation benefits

Medical staff development: Trained staff all self-reported high level of comfort/competence diagnosing Respiratory Distress Syndrome and using bCPAP therapy."

Improvement in quality and safety patient care:  The in-built oxygen blender in the Pumani made oxygen titration possible, thus limiting exposure to harmful oxygen concentrations associated with high-flow NC or ibCPAP without blenders.

Providers´ comments included “algorithms and checklists had clear escalation and weaning protocols and improved patient care consistency,”

“the patient monitoring tool improved the quality of patient care,

”It is clear to see trends in patient vital signs and it made handoffs a lot easier and faster,” and “it made care more efficient.”

“It is so easy and quick to set up the machine compared to the ibCPAP,”

“you see rapid improvement once patient is on the machine.”

Hospital capacity building: significant and meaningful expansion of evidence-based therapeutic options for RD occurred at all sites.

One administrator stated, “this technology has really improved the scope of services we provide.” 

Bubble CPAP (bCPAP) acceptance: there was a strong positive acceptance of bCPAP technology among NICU staff at all sites. Staff commented, “It is much easier and quicker to assemble,” “It is more effective than the improvised CPAP.”