(Johnston) Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds speaking at her daily briefing this morning said while the hospital capacity and resources look good, one issue that’s a challenge in Iowa and across the country is a shortage of personal protective equipment.
Sarah Reisetter, Deputy Director of Iowa Public Health said IDPH issued the order effective today related to current and anticipated shortages of PPE.
The order requires all providers to work with the Department of Public Health to further assess, monitor, and extend the use of the supply of PPE in the state.
The department was issuing an emergency order with directives on what providers should do if they cannot get enough face masks, shields and gowns to provide standard care. If they face shortages, providers are directed to use face masks that have expired, not change them for each patient encounter, use washable gowns and shorten hospital stays for coronavirus patients. The order also calls for reserving PPE for health care providers and having patients cover their mouth and nose with a barrier other than a surgical face mask, and use telemedicine whenever possible.
The order is based on the guidance provided by the CDC. The order applies to health care providers, hospitals, healthcare facilities, clinics, local public health agencies, medical and response organizations, and any others using PPE for the treatment of patients, or residents of facilities.
