A recent increase in demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) has caused delays for some products ordered by U.S. hospitals for Ebola preparedness. Across the United States, availability for these products varies by product type and model, manufacturer, distributor and geographic region. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are a number of options available for hospitals needing to increase their PPE supplies despite manufacturer shortages and delays. The role a hospital plays in preparing to identify, isolate, evaluate, and, in some cases, treat patients with possible Ebola virus disease is the most important indicator of how much PPE is needed. To provide state health departments and hospitals with more information on how to increase PPE supply, CDC has issued new guidance, "Considerations for U.S Healthcare Facilities to Ensure Adequate Supplies of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Ebola Preparedness." This resource summarizes the current U.S. PPE supply situation and provides recommendations for ways healthcare facilities can increase PPE as part of their Ebola preparedness planning efforts.
