Missouri launches online, one-stop shop for PPE

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Missouri launches online, one-stop shop for PPE

Fri, 05/22/2020 - 03:16
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JEFFERSON CITY – Missouri agencies are working on measures to increase the supply of personal protective equipment, or PPE, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

PPE access continues to be identified as a critical need, and expanding reserves by opening public and private supply chains is one of the four “essential pillars” of the state’s Show Me Strong Recovery plan.

To expand PPE reserves and simplify the process, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services offers an integrated webpage dedicated as a one-stop shop for all information related to PPE. The newly created webpage, health.mo.gov/PPE, includes Missouri’s latest information and resources in three categories:

• How to access PPE or make requests,

• Guidance for use, and

• Optimization for maintaining a PPE supply for the duration of the COVID-19 epidemic.

“It’s vital that we keep our health care workers as protected as possible in the fight against COVID-19,” Gov. Mike Parson said. “Manufacturers across the state have answered the call to help protect our health care workers, and we are committed to doing all we can to get this equipment into the hands of those that need it.”

All state health care entities, first responders and state agencies providing essential services in critical need of PPE are encouraged by the state to partner and participate in the Missouri PPE Marketplace by registering their PPE inventory and the quantities they need to purchase. Registered, groups can connect with suppliers. They can extend the life of N95 masks by enrolling in the Battelle Critical Care Decontamination System, a process to decontaminate N95 filtering face piece respirators. Questions about the Battelle system and the enrollment process are answered at 614-753-2255.

For more PPE information, contact the department’s hotline at 877-435-8411 or visit health.mo.gov/coronavirus.