Advanced Applications of Fuel Cells during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Insights from Nursing, Health Assistance, Respiratory Therapy, Physiotherapy, and Medical Equipment Specialists

Abstract

Fuel cell technology, as a clean energy source, has been a topic of research and development worldwide since the 1800s, with increased attention in recent decades (Biru Aemro et al., 2023). It holds promise for advanced applications in various fields. During the COVID-19 pandemic, as healthcare systems struggled with patient surges, fuel cell technology was examined for potential applications in enhancing medical practices and patient care. The COVID-19 pandemic brought about profound and far-reaching changes, including emerging health challenges, deaths, and social/economic transformations. Infectious diseases, respiratory problems, and impacts on nursing and health assistance emerged as major concerns. The pandemic disrupted energy access in many areas, exacerbating health problems and limitations in response capabilities. Meanwhile, environmental pollution brought about changes in regulation, planning, and design of energy systems and public health infrastructures, requiring new systems and technologies to mitigate problems. Medical practices in one-on-one care, rehabilitation, and intervention need to be reformed, modernized, and innovated. New devices, machines, equipment, and technologies are needed in healthcare settings. Synergistic relationships between fuel cells and nursing, health assistance, respiratory therapy, physiotherapy, and medical equipment specialists are explored. These fields employ scientific analysis, planning, design, and professional applications of medical devices, machines, and equipment based on public health and safety. This examination is motivated by several key points in the intersection and relevance of these fields with fuel cells. Fuel cells can bring new devices and equipment to nursing, health assistance, respiratory therapy, and physiotherapy practices. It is important to actively promote and advocate for emerging applications of fuel cells. There is a need to clearly identify and effectively communicate emerging needs, issues, queries, and problems found in medical equipment in regard to fuel cells in public health planning and policy. Medical equipment specialists can provide insights on how to enhance the practice efficacy and performance of devices, machines, and equipment through the use of fuel cells. During the COVID-19 pandemic, disease transmission and hygiene rapidly brought changes on close usage of medical equipment. A detailed examination of this topic emphasizes the significance and potential applications of fuel cells in various healthcare practices. It also invites further discussions on these emerging points.