Wanted: Used Crutches, Walkers And Canes As Supply Chain Shortages Grow
In Utah, South Carolina, Kentucky and elsewhere, hospitals are requesting donations of gently used medical equipment.
Axios:
Health Care Plagued By New Supply Chain Shortages
From medications to gloves to crutches, the strains of the global supply chain are hitting U.S. health care hard. Shortages of health care supplies can quickly jump from a nuisance to a life-or-death proposition. They indicate serious vulnerabilities in the U.S. health care supply chain. (Reed, 11/1)
Salt Lake Tribune:
Utah Hospitals Collect Used Crutches, Walkers And Canes In Response To Supply-Chain Problems
People across Utah engaged in a particular form of aluminum recycling Saturday — dropping off used crutches and other medical support equipment at 11 locations. The donation program, called LeanOn Utah, is designed to fill a gap in the availability of crutches, walkers, canes and non-motorized wheelchairs. Supply-chain issues are creating a shortage for such equipment, and the aluminum used to make them, said Don Williams, supply chain manager for Intermountain Medical Center in Murray — one of the 11 locations that was taking donations Saturday. (Means, 10/30)
Bluffton (S.C.) Today:
Beaufort Memorial Seeks 'Gently Used Adult Crutches' Because Of Supply Shortage
Beaufort Memorial Hospital said it is in need of crutches for patients because of a global aluminum shortage. Officials are asking members of the community to donate “gently used adult crutches” if they can. (10/31)
Spectrum News 1:
Shortage Of Crutches Impacting Kentucky Children's Hospital
The COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the supply chain has led to a shortage of vital equipment for Shriners Children’s Hospital in Lexington to care for their patients. At the onset of the pandemic, hospitals statewide dealt with a shortage of personal protective equipment. While that’s no longer a problem, Jessica Kazee, a physical therapist at Shriners Children’s Hospital said their vendors are unable to fill orders for a much needed orthopedic device. "When we heard we were needing crutches and we tried to order them, our supplier said there’s an aluminum shortage and we just can not get them there," Kazee explained. (Gurley, 10/30)
In other health care industry news —
Oklahoman:
OKC Officials Considering Changes In Ambulance Response, Dispatch
In response to a paramedic staffing and hiring shortage, leaders from Oklahoma City's medical response organizations have introduced a plan to change a city ordinance in hopes to alleviate pressures brought on by higher call volumes and longer hospital wait times. The proposal heard by the City Council last week would allow for the Emergency Medical Services Authority to stand up units made to respond specifically to non-life threatening calls, known as basic life support. Currently, city regulations require each ambulance unit to include personnel who can provide advanced life services, assistance in life-threatening situations, for all calls regardless of the severity of the situation. (Gore, 11/1)
Philadelphia Inquirer:
Penn’s $1.6 Billion Pavilion Tower, Its Biggest Yet, Opens With Massive Patient Transfer
At 9 a.m. Saturday, almost 350 Penn Medicine hospital patients were wheeled in their beds over to the newly opened $1.6 billion Pavilion tower — the largest capital project in the University of Pennsylvania’s history. Doctors, nurses, and other staff helped transport Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania patients — including the most critical — across the University City campus. The Pavilion boasts “1.5 million square feet, almost the same size as the newest Comcast tower,” said Kevin Mahoney, CEO of University of Pennsylvania Health System, noting that the project shared an architect in common, Norman Foster. (Arvedlund, 10/30)
Bloomberg:
Medical Group HPN Weighs $9 Billion-Plus Sale
Heritage Provider Network Inc. is exploring a potential sale that could value the private medical group at more than $9 billion, according to people familiar with the matter. HPN, which is controlled by founder and Chief Executive Officer Richard Merkin, is working with advisers to assist in a sales process that could begin as early as next month, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the information isn’t public. (Davis and Porter, 10/29)
Arizona Republic:
Arizona Privatized Prison Health Care To Save Money. But At What Cost?
In 2017, Walter Jordan wrote a memo to a federal judge from the Arizona State Prison Complex in Florence. “Notice of Impending Death,” it said in a shaky hand. Jordan told the judge that Arizona corrections officials and Corizon Health, the state prison system’s private health care contractor at that time, delayed treating his cancer for so long that he would be “lucky to be alive for 30 days.” Jordan, 67, had a common form of skin cancer that is rarely life-threatening if caught early, but said he experienced memory loss and intense pain from botched care. Other men in his unit were also denied treatment, he wrote, “all falling, yelling, screaming of pain.” Jordan was dead eight days later. (Jenkins and Schwartzapfel, 10/31)
