Shifting Operations to Aid in the Fight Against COVID-19

 

On this episode of the MarketScale podcast, host Tyler Kern was joined by ModTruss Vice President, Worldwide Sales David Ostmann.

ModTruss typically centers its operations on providing strong, durable metal building kits that see use in a variety of industries and applications.

However, as is the case for many companies, the COVID-19 pandemic has shifted that focus, and ModTruss is doing what it can to support the frontline effort in the fight against the novel coronavirus.

“We’re in this together,” Ostmann said. “It’s going to take all of us working together to beat this and get our ‘normal’ back.”

To that end, CEO Patrick Santini, an Army field medic with an extensive engineering background, leapt into action.

Working with his wife, an ER physician, Santini developed a negative pressure containment unit.

“Really, within about four days, we went from an idea to a working prototype for our negative pressure (containment unit), or what they call an airborne infectious isolation room,” Ostmann said. “Furthermore, we repurposed our entertainment plastic panels … to introduce those as hard-barrier, bedside applications.”

These barriers are particularly useful for replacing inadequate pipe-and-drape separation methods and allowing for increased safety for patients and healthcare professionals, alike.

Looking ahead, Ostmann said added efficiencies and innovations could help develop the “new normal” the world will enter in the wake of COVID-19.

One such solution is already available in the form of LED screens that could be adapted to meet new needs highlighted by the pandemic.

“One of our partners in the entertainment world is Absen (America). They make beautiful LED panels,” Ostmann said. “Well, maybe they can repurpose their solutions into our COVID solution centers, where we’re not using our valuable resources – our people – to direct traffic. Maybe there’s signage that way that can direct traffic. … It’s looking at your solution from a different aspect.”

For the latest news, videos, and podcasts in the Healthcare Industry, be sure to subscribe to our industry publication.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Twitter – @MarketScale
Facebook – facebook.com/marketscale
LinkedIn – linkedin.com/company/marketscale

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

teacher
Building the Next Generation of Educators Through Apprenticeship Pathways and Workforce-Aligned Training
March 23, 2026

Teacher shortages aren’t exactly a new headline—but lately, they’ve started to feel a lot more urgent. In some places, schools have gone years without enough fully trained teachers in the classroom, exposing real flaws in how we prepare and retain educators. Add in the rising cost of becoming a teacher and training models that haven’t…

Read More
Joint Commission 360
Understanding Joint Commission 360 Standards: What They Mean for SPD Teams (Part 1)
March 17, 2026

For a long time, compliance in healthcare was tied to the survey cycle. Now, that model is shifting. With the introduction of Joint Commission 360, organizations are being asked to demonstrate continuous performance—not just preparedness. As patient safety comes under increasing scrutiny, The Joint Commission is moving toward an approach built on real-time data, traceability,…

Read More
university
The Employer University Alignment Journey with Kristen Fox, CEO of Business-Higher Education Forum
March 16, 2026

Across the U.S., the conversation about the value of a college degree is increasingly tied to one central question: Does higher education actually prepare students for the workforce? As artificial intelligence reshapes how work gets done and employers rethink the skills they need, universities are under growing pressure to ensure graduates leave not just…

Read More
private equity
How AI Is Transforming Private Equity Deal Evaluation and Portfolio Strategy
March 13, 2026

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming how organizations evaluate risk, analyze markets, and drive operational efficiency. In financial services alone, global AI spending is projected to surpass $97 billion by 2027, reflecting how deeply data-driven technologies are reshaping decision-making. For private equity firms—where hundreds of potential investments may be screened each year—the ability to analyze information…

Read More