Public statement on the shortages of critical medical equipment

PUBLIC STATEMENT ON THE SHORTAGES OF CRITICAL MEDICAL EQUIPMENT
March 27, 2020

As organizations that represent or collaborate with individuals and institutions at the forefront of delivering health care in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are vitally concerned with the shortages of masks, face shields and other personal protective equipment (PPE), ventilators, swab kits, and testing capacity that are critically needed by frontline caregivers and patients. In the most affected areas, hospitals, other healthcare delivery organizations, physicians, dentists, nurses, and other caregivers need help now. Many others will need the same help in the coming weeks.

PPE is needed immediately to protect the caregivers who are risking their own health to care for patients in the most need. Shortages of ventilators and intensive care facilities threaten the lives of the sickest patients.

We strongly support emergency efforts at the federal level to dramatically increase the production and distribution of PPE and other necessary medical equipment and supplies.  We also support the availability of telehealth services during this time to use less PPE while preventing the spread of infection.

We must all work immediately to remove any impediments anywhere in the supply chain and come together at the federal, state, and local levels to develop an approach for a fair, equitable, and swift distribution across the nation that is based upon evidence of the most need.