Healthcare Hygiene magazine July 2020 | Page 6

from the editor healthcarehygienemagazine Survey Confirms the Resourcefulness of Healthcare Facilities During a Crisis Unprecedented times call for extraordinary measures. That’s the conclusion of a study examining healthcare epidemiologists’ responses to the challenges presented by limited supplies and emerging evidence during the COVID-19 pandemic. These professionals – as well as infection preventionists, no doubt — have used resourceful strategies to safeguard healthcare personnel and patients. As study author Michael J. Calderwood, MD, MPH, a hospital epidemiologist at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in New Hampshire, notes, “Healthcare facilities managed in extraordinary circumstances to stretch the use of personal protective equipment outside of normal standards to optimize the use of an unpredictable supply. Many facilities have had to get creative — taking steps like self-producing PPE and test materials and reprocessing respirators — to mitigate risk and maximize safety for patients and healthcare providers.” In April 2020, the SHEA Research Network collected survey responses from healthcare epidemiologists at 69 healthcare facilities, including 58 from the U.S. and Canada, and 11 located internationally. These findings provide a ‘point-in-time’ snapshot of the experiences hospitals and healthcare personnel have faced in the fight against COVID-19. The survey found that numerous facilities were feeling shortages, with 40 percent reporting their supply of respirators was either “limited” or at “crisis level.” In response, 68 percent of surveyed facilities reported using one or more strategies to extend the supply of respirators; the most frequently cited strategy was to have healthcare providers in certain units reuse the same respirator for an entire day, and the majority of institutions were practicing some form of extended use or reuse of respirators. Many facilities also turned to reprocessing PPE. The survey also found that some surveyed facilities were ‘self-producing’ PPE, such as face shields and gowns, due to shortages. A quarter of facilities were self-producing testing components, such as swabs, transport media, and collection tubes. “Time and energy spent creating new approaches to address shortages of basic supplies takes resources away from addressing critical health issues,” said Mary Hayden, MD, president-elect of SHEA. “We’re learning about this virus. With reopening efforts underway, healthcare facilities need more predictable inventories of personal protective equipment and testing supplies. We can’t be put in a shortage situation, especially as non-healthcare demands for these supplies will be increasing.” Calderwood, et al. (2020) say that the COVID-19 pandemic has compelled institutions to take rapid, practical actions for healthcare personnel and patient safety. They add that research is needed to assess further the safety and efficacy of these innovative strategies, and approaches must be identified to strengthen facilities and their communities to protect against shortages of critical healthcare supplies, prepare for potential new waves of COVID-19 cases, and be ready for future outbreaks of emerging pathogens. Until next month, bust those bugs! Kelly M. Pyrek Editor & Publisher [email protected] Kelly M. Pyrek editor & publisher [email protected] A.G. Hettinger, CPA president & CFO Patti Valdez art director Linda Lybert business development consultant J. Christine Phillips customer service manager Send inquiries to: [email protected] Healthcare Hygiene magazine is published monthly by Keystone Media Inc. 8925 Ridgeline Boulevard, suite 106, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129. Free digital subscriptions available at www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com for U.S., Canada and other foreign subscribers. Copyright © 2019 Keystone Media Inc. All rights reserved. The publisher reserves the right to accept or reject any advertising or editorial material. Advertisers, and/or their agents, assume the responsibility for all content of published advertisements and assume responsibility for any claims against the publisher based on the advertisement. Editorial contributors assume responsibility for their published works and assume responsibility for any claims against the publisher based on the published work. All items submitted to Healthcare Hygiene magazine become the sole property of Keystone Media Inc. Editorial content may not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the publisher. Reference: Calderwood MS, et al. Policies and Practices of SHEA Research Network Hospitals During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. Web: June 23, 2020. 6 july 2020 • www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com