PPE Shortage Continues to Threaten Frontline Workers; Leaves Patients in Danger

With the number of COVID-19 cases continuing to climb, healthcare professionals everywhere are being called heroes. Yet, many are starting to wonder whether the term “hero” is actually synonymous with “acceptable losses” as the US and local governments alike have continued to fail in providing proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to our healthcare workers.

While efforts are underway to mass produce solutions the PPE problem, hospitals are still going short. A Los Angeles doctor who wishes to remain anonymous due to threats of job security as reported that the shortage is “definitely worse for nurses.”

On May 10, Celia Marcos, a nurse at Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital in Los Angeles died after rushing in to treat a COVID patient. While the hospital issued a public statement denying that Marcos treated a COVID patient without adequate PPE, at least one nurse in the hospital reported that the nurses were not receiving adequate PPE and, per the LA times, the nurses union SEIU121RN filed a complaint with OSHA (the state Occupational Safety and Health Administration) that cited Marcos’ death as the result of inadequate PPE.

The current lack of hospital personnel who are willing to go on record about lack of PPE is not surprising. As early as March, medical professionals who speak out against lack of PPE or highlight the dangers to hospital staff and patients.

Per the Center for Disease Control, “ Nonsterile, disposable patient isolation gowns, which are used for routine patient care in healthcare settings, are appropriate for use by patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.” Disposable gowns are meant to be just that- disposable.

This means that the gown should be changed after a single encounter with one patient. The fact that health professionals are being asked to reuse gowns not only endangers the healthcare provider who is wearing the gown, but also every other patient that the healthcare provider sees while wearing that gown. Likewise, N-95 masks that should be changed at regular intervals and reuse of masks has, until the COVID crisis, has been considered unthinkable.

Per the FDA “conservative allocation strategies” have been encouraged due to a projected shortage of PPE due to the pandemic. Meanwhile, the Center for Disease Control and the World Health Organization continue to recognize a shortage of personal protective equipment that the COVID crisis has caused.