82% of continuing care organizations report concern about their ability to obtain adequate personal protective equipment over the winter months.

For Immediate Release: August 13, 2020

BURNABY – A recent SafeCare BC survey of continuing care organizations shows that while the current supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) has improved from the critical shortages experienced in the spring, 82% report concern about their ability to maintain adequate PPE levels over the next three to six months. Lack of availability (94%), cost (83%), and increased use of PPE (68%) were cited as the top-three barriers to maintaining an adequate supply.

Of all sectors, home care organizations fared the worst in terms of 36% currently facing a critical shortage of PPE.

“While we are not at the same critical levels of PPE supply that we experienced a few months ago, it is concerning that a significant majority of continuing care organizations are concerned about their ability to maintain adequate PPE levels in the coming months,” says Jen Lyle, CEO, SafeCare BC. “Organizations should be focussed on providing great care, not worrying whether they will run out of PPE. This means the sector and government need to continue working together to ensure adequate levels of PPE for all healthcare workers.”

In response to the critical shortage of PPE, SafeCare BC launched its Operation Protect initiative, which in four months collected more than 1.2 million items of PPE from generous individuals and businesses. In addition, we sourced out new suppliers of PPE for our members. But the supply of donate PPE cannot be sustained, as the pandemic continues.

Survey Summary

• 286 respondents over a 24-hour period (August 11, 2020)
• Although PPE levels have improved since April, a significant majority (82%) remain concerned about their ability to maintain adequate PPE levels throughout the winter months.
• Lack of availability, cost, and increased use of PPE were cited as the top-three barriers to maintaining an adequate supply.
• 8% of care providers say they have three days or less of surgical masks. This is an improvement from the April 23 survey, in which 27% reported having three days or less.
• 63% report having no N-95 masks (39%) or only enough to last up to three days (24%). This does, however, compare favourably to the April 23 survey results in which 70% reported the same.
• 29% of care providers say they have no protective gowns (12%) or only a three-day supply (17%). This compares to the April 23 results, in which 29% had either no gowns or only a three-day supply.
• 18% of care providers have either no eye protection (12%) or only enough to last three days (6%). This compares to 32% of respondents in the April 23 survey.
• 29% of care providers anticipate running out of gloves within a week. This compares to the April 23 survey results, with 40% anticipating running out of gloves within a week.
• Just over half (22%) of respondents anticipate running out of hand sanitizer within a week. This compares to 51% as reported in the April 23 survey.

For all survey results, including sector and regional breakdown, visit https://www.safecarebc.ca/2020/08/13/ppe-survey-results-august-2020/

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About SafeCare BC

SafeCare BC is the health and safety association for BC’s continuing care sector, whose 864 member organizations, employ 28,000 workers.

Contact:
Ken Donohue
Director, Communications and Member Services
SafeCare BC
604-785-5890
kdonohue@safecarebc.ca
www.safecarebc.ca

Care Provider Survey Summary: All Sectors

Overview

• 286 respondents over a 24-hour period (August 11, 2020)
• Respondents include non-profit and private long-term care (140), assisted living (53), home support (61) and community living (73) organizations delivering services to seniors and people with developmental disabilities, as well as an other category (38).
• Some organizations deliver more than one service
• Four questions were asked:

1. Is your organization experiencing a critical shortage of personal protective equipment? Yes or no?

2. How many days’ supply do you have of surgical masks, N-95 masks, exam gloves, eye protection, hand sanitizer and protective gowns?

3. How concerned are you in your ability to obtain adequate PPE over the next 3 to 6 months?

4. What major barriers do you expect in the next 3 to 6 months?

Results

Question One: Is your organization experiencing a critical shortage of personal protective equipment?

• Yes – 17% (April 23 results: 42%)
• No – 83% (April 23 results: 58%)

Question Two: How many days’ supply do you have for the following critical supplies?

Question Three: How concerned are you in your ability to obtain adequate PPE over the next 3 to 6 months?

• 82% reported being very (30%) or somewhat (52%) concerned about their ability to obtain adequate PPE over the winter months.

Question Four: What major barriers do you expect in the next 3 to 6 months?

• Availability of PPE (94%), cost (83%), and increased use of PPE (68%) were cited as the top-three concerns around maintaining adequate PPE supplies over the winter months.