Coronavirus Stokes Supply Shortage Concerns in Over 85% of US Providers

N95 masks and other personal protective equipment are in short supply due to increased demand for supplies fueled by the ongoing coronavirus epidemic. More than 85 percent of U.S. health systems and hospitals have raised concerns about their supplies of face masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE) in the face of the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic.

“What’s key is that the providers who ultimately care for patients with coronavirus and other infectious diseases have the supplies on hand to protect their healthcare workers,” Soumi Saha, senior director of advocacy at Premier, which conducted the survey, told HCB News. “The CDC is emphasizing that providers need masks to protect healthcare workers and not the public, unless they have a confirmed or suspected case.”

Hospitals and health systems across the U.S. typically spend $22 million on N95 face masks annually. Demand, however, skyrocketed up in January and February by 400 and 585 percent, respectively, due to the heavy flu season and anticipation of a coronavirus outbreak in the U.S. These levels of demand suggest a minimum consumption rate of 56 million masks this year, nearly three-fold the demand of a typical year, according to Premier.

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