Topline: An internal government watchdog reportreleased Monday offers the first glimpse into the Department of Health and Human Services’ response to the coronavirus outbreak, with hospitals saying conflicting guidance, along with equipment shortages, has left healthcare workers feeling their safety isn’t insured while treating COVID-19 patients.
- The report was conducted from March 22 to March 27, with 323 hospitals surveyed.
- The report describes severe equipment shortages, with hospitals unable to obtain the masks and protective gear required to keep workers safe.
- Faulty or expired equipment was received by some hospitals, with one describing the elastic bands on N95 masks as having rotted, or were sized for children, instead of adults.
- Thermometer shortages also left hospitals unable to take employees’ temperatures, the report said, leaving them unable to monitor staff for signs of the coronavirus.
- A shortage of testing kits was also reported, with wait times for results up to one week, decreasing bed availability in hospitals and forcing workers to use up more protective gear.
- Ventilator shortages left hospitals scrambling to repurpose anesthesia machines or double up patients on one machine, the report said, with hospitals fearing “difficult decisions about ethical allocation and liability.” Continue reading.