Chair File: Equipping Our Health Care Heroes in the Battle Against COVID-19
Like the COVID-19 pandemic itself, access to protective gear for front-line health care workers is unevenly spread throughout the country. Some hospitals and health systems have adequate supplies of masks, gowns, gloves and other personal protective equipment on hand, while others have much more critical needs.
From the beginning the AHA has worked — and partnered with others — to support our courageous caregivers in every way possible. One example is an effort we launched with a coalition of private and non-profit organizations called Protecting People Everywhere. It’s a national exchange that matches PPE donors with the hospitals in greatest need.
The initiative takes AHA’s 100 Million Mask Challenge a step further, using a new app called HealthEquip™ to route donated medical-grade PPE directly to the places in shortest supply, regardless of where the hospital is located. The app also tracks PPE donations and manages shipping through UPS to participating hospitals.
The HealthEquip app utilizes an algorithm that processes factors such as staff size, the number of COVID-19 patients receiving treatment and other metrics to ensure an unbiased distribution of PPE. We’re working closely with our coalition partners —Microsoft, Kaiser Permanente, the consulting firm Kearney, Merit Solutions, Goodwill and UPS — to solve an issue that is key to battling COVID-19.
The HealthEquip app is available to every hospital. To register, please visit the website or download from the App Store or Google Play. More information is available in this video guide and frequently asked questions document.
As the AHA continues to lead, coordinate and participate in initiatives that support our incredible caregivers, Protecting People Everywhere will help hospitals from every corner of the country keep our caregivers protected.
As coalition partner David Rhew, M.D., of Microsoft said, “Donating PPE to your local hospital is a good thing. Donating PPE to a hospital that desperately needs it is even better.”