Many fields have experienced supply shortages since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The healthcare field was not immune to this struggle, and continues to experience massive supply chain shortages of important items. The following are a few of the supplies healthcare professionals are lacking.
Equipment
When an individual is injured or incapacitated by any sort of health issue, they often need specific types of equipment to help them with their recovery. Things like scooters, wheelchairs, crutches, and more are all absolutely essential for these individuals’ recovery. However, in recent months and years, it has become incredibly difficult for hospitals and healthcare workers to get access to this equipment. It’s becoming more and more difficult for people to get the treatment they need because of the supply shortages within the medical field. Instead of waiting a week for a piece of equipment, healthcare companies are waiting indefinitely for a piece of equipment that someone vitally needs.
Raw Materials
One of the most concerning ways in which supply chain issues are affecting healthcare is a lack of necessary raw materials available to healthcare workers and hospitals. At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals were struggling with protective equipment and enough room to house those who needed care. Now, however, while the need is perhaps less urgent, it is far more widespread. There are various metals used in dental and medical applications.
Everyday essential medical materials are in very short supply. Things like IV needles, latex and vinyl gloves, and hundreds of other critical supplies are not being delivered to hospitals that so desperately need them.
Dwindling National Blood Supply
In medical emergencies, there are many situations in which hospitals need blood to help their patients. For example, the treatment of many cancer and blood disorders require nearly 25% of the nation’s blood supply. However, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, blood drives across the country had to be shut down, canceled, or postponed. Meanwhile, medical emergencies still occurred. The blood supply has become smaller and smaller until there remains a chance that those who need the blood may not be able to receive it.
Each of these healthcare issues has potentially disastrous outcomes if not resolved quickly. People around the world need these medical supplies to receive treatment and heal from what ails them. It’s important to help resolve these shortages as quickly as possible.
Check out this article on how to make seniors feel comfortable in their final years!
