ASA and APSF Submit Comments on Building the Strategic National Stockpile in Wake of COVID-19

The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) and the Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation (APSF) commented on federal strategies to ensure necessary medical equipment, drugs and personal protective equipment (PPE) are resupplied within the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS). Federal authorities are seeking to understand and mitigate against any constraints associated with meeting pandemic demand, like those currently experienced with COVID-19, and determine how the US government can contribute to improving supply availability.

Physician anesthesiologists have experienced personal protective equipment (PPE), drug and device shortages that have required them to develop workarounds and other solutions to maintain the quality of care delivered to patients. Importantly, ASA and the APSF requested the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) immediately convene subject matter experts to develop reprocessing guidance for PPE, laryngoscopes, ventilator equipment and other items as appropriate.

ASA and APSF comments also echoed the concerns of physician anesthesiologists and others who experienced resource limitations and disorganization among regional and national responses. We requested federal authorities develop solutions for the adequate redeployment of equipment and devices within a region – for instance, when patients in one facility may be receiving care via older anesthesia machines at the same time that newer and more effective anesthesia machines might be available at another facility nearby. Comments also supported the development of resources assist physicians seeking to volunteer in areas where COVID-19 resources and personnel were needed.

Please visit the ASA COVID-19 webpage for anesthesia-specific resources. 

For more information, please contact the ASA Department of Quality and Regulatory Affairs at [email protected].