Donald replied

206 weeks ago

Since the start of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, health care systems across the US have reported substantial personal protective equipment (PPE) shortages, compromising their ability to keep health care professionals safe while treating increasing numbers of patients.1 Gloves, face masks, N95 respirators, powered air-purifying respirators, eye protection, and gowns are central to transmission-based precautions. Initial delays in COVID-19 testing increased PPE use, further intensifying demand.

landsideicy replied

206 weeks ago

Consequently, some health care professionals have resorted to directly sourcing PPE from personal networks. Infection prevention teams across the country have focused on supply conservation with extended use and reuse protocols. These teams have also collaborated with others (engineers, the maker community, local businesses, and community volunteers) to create new forms of PPE, including respirators and eye protection. At the same time, reports suggest there are overseas suppliers with sizable quantities of PPE who want to supply US health care systems, but logistic issues related to quality, payment terms, and air cargo capacity are among the barriers.

PRICE replied

206 weeks ago

Meanwhile, new suppliers and intermediaries have emerged in the PPE supply chain. Some health care systems have resorted to purchasing PPE from unvetted sources without the ability to fully evaluate supplier quality—a task traditionally managed by distribution partners. As such, new PPE clearinghouses run by physician volunteer groups are emerging to connect vetted suppliers with health care system needs.

WILSON replied

206 weeks ago

Why are mainstream distributors—with whom health care systems have had trusted relationships for years—not finding and aggregating these fragmented sources of PPE to fulfill demand? These distributors have dedicated teams specializing in supplier quality assessment and due diligence. Distributors also have more cash on hand to provide the payment terms that PPE suppliers now demand. Why haven’t distributors closed this critical gap?

Donald replied

206 weeks ago

The Department of Health and Human Services’ Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) and state stockpiles are mechanisms to provide additional PPE in emergencies. Requesting PPE from SNS involves a discussion among local, state, and federal officials through established protocols. Normally, PPE in the SNS can be dispatched from storage locations to the requesting locations within 24 to 36 hours of approval.

landsideicy replied

206 weeks ago

Getting adequate PPE allocation from the SNS has been a challenge during the COVID-19 pandemic. First, overall stock in the SNS was much lower than previous estimates of what would be needed to protect health care personnel in the event of a severe influenza pandemic.2 Second, lack of transparency regarding PPE and other inventory in the SNS as well as the logic behind the allocation of its limited supplies has hampered credibility.

thomas L charles replied

206 weeks ago

Hales Global Group LLC is a boutique business development firm that provides customized solutions for the formulation and implementation of business strategies. We utilize unique and proven methodologies to deliver actionable results to clients in a timely, efficient, and cost-effective manner.

WILSON replied

206 weeks ago

Health care professionals should ask their hospital administrators for a careful re-evaluation of medical supply distributor contracts. Contracts with distributors should have clearly defined service-level clauses for large demand surges. Health care systems should also require distributors to demonstrate supply preparedness plans and geographic diversity in their production base.

landsideicy replied

206 weeks ago

Provisions in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act could be used to provide the needed financial capital for large-scale PPE supply chain reform, including investment in automated production lines with excess capacity to withstand surges in demand and resolution of information gaps in the medical supply chain with integrated information systems. The time to act on these recommendations is now.
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