Contingency planning for health care worker masks in case of medical supply chain failure: Lessons learned in novel mask manufacturing from COVID-19 pandemic - 24/09/21
Highlights |
• | In a global pandemic traditional healthcare supply chains can break down. |
• | Hospitals may pursue novel design and manufacturing solutions for masks and PPE. |
• | Requires collaboration between designers, engineers, and front-line clinicians. |
• | The incident command system can facilitate effectiveness of such projects. |
• | Flexibility, speed, and decisive decision making is essential. |
Abstract |
Introduction |
The COVID-19 pandemic placed unprecedented strain on the medical supply chain. Early in the pandemic, uncertainty regarding personal protective equipment (PPE) was high. Protecting health care workers from contracting illness is critical to preserve trust and workforce capacity.
Methods |
We describe an initiative to design and manufacture a novel, re-usable, half-face respirator in case conventional medical supply chain failed to meet demand. It required new collaboration between the hospital, physicians, the medical school, and the school of engineering. We describe organizational priorities, constraints, and process of design, testing and approval as the health system engaged for the first time directly with the design and manufacturing process for PPE.
Results |
An original mask design was developed, and the University Hospital had an initial batch of this novel mask manufactured during the first wave of the SARS-COV-2 pandemic. These masks, and the die necessary to produce more, are in reserve in case of depletion of stores of conventionally sourced PPE.
Conclusions |
The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated fragility of medical supply chain. Organizations considering similar efforts should anticipate constraints on raw material supply chain and be flexible, adaptive, and fast. The incident command structure was vital to identifying priority areas needing alternative approaches, creating connections, and providing rapid approvals. We found organizational value in demonstrating commitment to assuring PPE supplies for health care worker safety.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Key Words : SARS-CoV-2, Infection control, Personal protective equipment, Incident command, Pandemic
Plan
Conflicts of interest: None to report. |
Vol 49 - N° 10
P. 1215-1220 - octobre 2021 Retour au numéroBienvenue sur EM-consulte, la référence des professionnels de santé.