‘Not enough’: SC hospitals work to manage protective equipment during coronavirus
South Carolina medical officials say more personal protective equipment is needed as the state manages the coronavirus outbreak even after the state last week received a shipment from the national stockpile.
The state’s health director Rick Toomey said on Monday a second shipment of equipment is expected this week.
“We’re pleased to know we’re receiving a second shipment so close because all providers are still running low of supplies,” he said.
But in South Carolina, there are now 298 confirmed cases of coronavirus statewide in 34 counties, and medical professionals told The State this week there are concerns whether there is enough equipment to last during the state’s extended response.
Christopher Powell, who oversees supplies for the 18-hospital Prisma Health system, said supplies are good right now. In order to prevent possible bidding wars, Powell said the system has prices locked in by contract from its suppliers.
“We’re always evaluating what we need to purchase, right now just tracking whatever vents are in use and right now we have vents available,” Powell said. “We have a good process in place, our physicians have a policy in place on when we’re supposed to use what PPE (personal protective equipment.”
Jennifer Wilson, spokeswoman for Lexington Medical Center, said the hospital has enough supplies at the moment, but it will have to evaluate its needs for the future.
“For the long-term, finding PPE supplies will be a challenge because of the increased demand,” Wilson said. “We want to be cautious and cognizant and on when to (use) them until they’re absolutely needed.”
Lexington said it has enough tests for now, but is continuing to follow guidelines from the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“Not everyone who wants a tests needs one or will get one,” Wilson said.
One county that may need additional help is Kershaw County, which has reported so far the highest numbers of cases.
State Rep. Laurie Slade Funderburk, D-Kershaw, said Kershaw Health is in desperate need of supplies.
“They are doing everything they can to conserve the PPEs,” Funderburk said.
The hospital did receive supplies from the national stockpile, which, Funderburk said they are grateful but added, “then again, it’s not enough.”
“It depends on the number of patients that come through,” Funderburk said. “As the patient load increases, those supplies will be exhausted more rapidly.”
The need for supplies comes as Kershaw county’s drive-thru testing for coronavirus opened on Monday. Funderburk said appointments were full for the week, and Sandhills Medical Foundation was already scheduling appointments for the next week.
“I know our health care community has to be good stewards of the supply. I understand why those protocols are in place,” Funderburk said. “My understanding is you could have the virus without having all the symptoms … we need to have more aggressive testing and we can’t because we don’t have a big enough supply.”
This story was originally published March 23, 2020 at 6:28 PM.
