City of Pottsville issued the following announcement on April 6
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is any type of specialized clothing, barrier product, or breathing device used to protect workers from serious injuries or illnesses while doing their jobs. These include gloves (vinyl, latex or nitrile); gowns; shoe and head covers; mask or respirators (N95 respirator); and other face and eye protection (goggles or a face shield).
WHO NEEDS PPE?
Healthcare professionals and patients with confirmed or possible COVID-19 infection need PPE.
WHO DOES NOT NEED PPE?
The general public does not need PPE. The CDC and Department of Health recommend following everyday preventative actions, such as washing your hands, covering your cough and staying home when you are sick.
HOW CAN I REQUEST PPE?
Medical facilities that critically need supplies and that are testing, treating or transporting those with possible or confirmed COVID-19 cases can request resources.
• All healthcare organizations must first have taken every step possible to get PPE through their traditional sourcing methods and their regional Healthcare Coalition (HCC).
• There must be a critical need, meaning that the PPE is required for continued operations, not for future planning initiatives.
• Providers should request specific PPE models that align with current facility practice.
• If all these criteria are met, then requests may be forwarded through your county Emergency Management Agency as a Resource Request.
WHAT IF MY HEALTH CARE FACILITY HAS A CRITICAL NEED FOR PPE?
After the traditional supply sources are exhausted and your health care facility is in critical need of PPE for health care professionals, please reach out to your County Emergency Management Agency and submit a Resource Request form. Please note that resource requests should be reserved for critical needs only and requests for preparedness stock or stand-by equipment is discouraged.
RESOURCES FOR MORE INFORMATION
Follow the CDC’s Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations
Strategies to optimize PPE supply: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/ppe-strategy/
Check-out these steps of safe work practices to protect yourself
For more information, visit https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/Pages/Coronavirus.aspx or the CDC website
Contact the Crisis Text Line by texting PA to 741-741
Original source can be found here.
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