Nearly 90 percent of healthcare providers are contributing to stockpiles of critical medical supplies and drugs intended to last up to 90 days, but many of them are still experiencing supply shortages, according to a recent survey conducted by Premier.
Premier’s survey found that either the health system or the state is directing most of stockpiling efforts, although product backorders are inhibiting requests to replenish the stockpiles and provide timely care, the survey found. The products that providers cited as heavily backordered included:
· N95 masks and bouffant caps (both cited by 53 percent of respondents)
· Isolation gowns and shoe covers (both cited by 49 percent of respondents)
· Testing swabs and test kits (cited by 40 percent of respondents)
· Surgical gowns (cited by 35 percent of respondents)
· Exam gloves (cited by 32 percent of respondents)
· Surgical masks (cited by 30 percent of respondents)
· Syringes (cited by 7 percent of respondents)
Premier’s survey was conducted in June, and approximately 100 of the organization’s members –including health systems and integrated delivery networks – responded, representing a total of 2,026 facilities across 48 states.
Premier executives said the solution to supply chain shortages is a national standard that integrates stockpiling needs at the federal, state and health system levels. Premier said it recommends a hub-and-spoke model that leverages the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) as well as a network of state and health system stockpiles, with an emphasis on collaboration and coordination between the entities maintaining inventories of supplies.
