By: AHRMM
We at AHRMM and the American Hospital Association (AHA) are tracking the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation daily, offering ongoing updates and the latest resources to the health care supply chain professionals. As the COVID-19 outbreak evolves, AHRMM is working with the AHA and other AHA professional membership groups (PMGs), as well as members, public officials, personal protective equipment (PPE) vendors, donors, suppliers, and association and health care leaders to help address the challenges of the COVID-19 response. Please bookmark this page and check back often as we continue to update this information daily.
VETTED NON-TRADITIONAL SUPPLIERS OFFERING PPE, SUPPLIES AND SERVICES COMPANIES OFFERING COVID-19 SUPPLIES, TECHNOLOGY AND SERVICES AT NO COST ALTERNATE SUPPLY CHANNELS OFFERING PPE AND OTHER CRITICAL SUPPLIES
AHRMM Recommendations on COVID-19 for Health Care Supply Chain The American Hospital Association continues to report on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and monitor updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO). First identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, the virus has spread globally. AHRMM is engaged with numerous health care leaders, associations, and regulatory agencies in an effort to keep our members up-to-date on the latest activities surrounding COVID-19. We are working very closely with Strategic Marketplace Initiative (SMI), Health Industry Distributors Association (HIDA), Institute for Supply Management, ECRI as well as AHA professional membership groups to support health care supply chain’s preparation and response to COVID-19. A few items to note in light of this public health concern:
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Blood supplies were tight prior to the outbreak. Supply chain professionals should work closely with their clinical and laboratory staff in the conservation and management of blood products post outbreak. Review AABB's Tips for Hospitals – Extending the Blood Supply.
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Review and implement CDC recommended guidance for the extended use and limited reuse of N95 filtering face piece respirators in health care setting.
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Strategic National Stockpile is the nation’s largest supply of potentially life-saving pharmaceuticals and medical supplies for use in a public health emergency severe enough to cause local supplies to run out. For further questions or information about the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS), email sns.ops@cdc.gov.
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Review the EPAs approved list of disinfectants that meet EPA’s criteria for use against SARS-CoV-2, the cause of COVID-19.
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On March 2, 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for emergency use of all disposable filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
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Those who also oversee environmental services should review the Association for the Health Care Environment’s (AHE) COVID-19 Resources.
Only through ongoing collaboration and communication efforts with your suppliers and other resources, understanding product shortages and allocations you may be facing or expect to face, and identifying and implementing conservation measures can we hope to minimize supply disruptions and ensure uninterrupted patient care. AHRMM Connect, our online member-only community, is the ideal place to pose questions or update other health care supply chain professionals on how your organization is handling this threat.