The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued expansive guidance on the best ways to conserve personal protection equipment, such as gowns and masks, as supply shortages became a massive concern for frontline workers early in the coronavirus outbreak.
“This is a perfect storm. I hate to use that terminology, but that’s exactly what we’re seeing here,” said David Gifford, M.D., chief medical officer for the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living.
The CDC recommended that providers restrict mask usage to only healthcare workers and prioritize them for selected activities. The agency also encouraged shifting to cloth isolation gowns and considering using coveralls.
In addition, it called for implementing extended use or re-use procedures and prioritization for both gowns and masks.
Officials urged providers to re-examine their infection control procedures and emergency preparedness plans, while also calling on groups with PPE stockpiles for non-emergency uses to share with frontline healthcare providers.
