The SHA and Ministry of health, along with other health partners are actively monitoring current supplies of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) across the health system.
As of April 9, Saskatchewan has approximately a one month or more supply of most essential PPE items, including surgical masks, N95 respirators and gloves.
The SHA continues to purchase and aggressively pursue supply through a variety of methods to meet the needs of the health sector, including:
• Ordering through regular supply channels: the health authority is continuing to receive orders through these channels, but are monitoring closely given global supply issues.
• Working with the federal government to receive Saskatchewan’s share of any PPE procured through federal channels. Some early orders with small quantities have started to come in, but more orders are expected in the future.
Measures underway to ensure ongoing supply of personal protective gear:
The Government of Saskatchewan is working closely at the national level with provinces, territories and the Government of Canada to secure supplies at the national level.
The SHA is monitoring the situation closely and examining various strategies to employ in the event that supplies become limited.
The strategies under consideration that may be employed in the circumstance of limited supplies include reviewing supplemental supply; accessing donated supplies through the SaskBuilds donation process; reviewing processes and technologies that will increase longevity of supplies, such as reprocessing masks.
In considering the above noted strategies, safety is a key consideration, and strategies to review the supplies and ensure safety are being employed. This includes, but is not limited to the following measures:
• Reviewing and applying guidance from national and international bodies with respect to use of supplies that are beyond shelf life, or including the following published by the Government of Canada and US Centre for Disease Control:
• Ensuring staff have clear direction on how to don appropriate personal protective equipment;
• Working with the federal government to monitor approvals of new technologies to support safe re-use of supplies.
• Engaging with the Council of Chief Medical Health Officers of Canada to ensure we are aware of the most up-to date clinical guidance on the use of personal protective equipment and other supplies.
