Concerns for PPE supplies as hospitalizations rise

Concerns for PPE supplies as hospitalizations rise

Considering as cases continue to rise.

Almost 76-hundred people with coronavirus checked into hospitals in alabama since the pandemic began.

The latest data from the state department of public health shows a record 1,362 on tuesday.

It's putting pressure on hospitals everywhere - including here in north alabama.

Waay 31's sydney martin talked to huntsville hospital c-e-o david spillers about how the rising case numbers could impact the supply of personal protective equipment - and how the hospital prepared.

Hospital c-e-o david spillers told me- the hospital stocked up on personal protective equipment early on in the coronavirus pandemic - but if the cases don't get under control..

Supplies could become limited.

David spillers, huntsville hospital ceo "we're going through a lot of ppe.

We anticipated we were going to be in this pandemic for a long time so we stocked up on ppe as best we could."

Huntsville hospital c-e-o david spillers said it takes about 10 times more personal protective equipment for hospital staff to treat a coronavirus patient than a non-covid 19 patient.

And with the number of cases not only rising rapidly in alabama - but across the country - they're watching their supply.

David spillers, huntsville hospital ceo "nationwide if this explosion of cases nationwide continues, at some point there will be limitations on the ability of the people who are supplying hospitals all across the country to give us what we need."

Spillers told me the hospital - like many other businesses - placed orders for masks early on from multiple vendors because was unclear if the orders would be fulfilled.

David spillers, huntsville hospital ceo "when we had the opportunity early on to get n-95 masks and protective equipment we probably did overbuy then because we had no clue if a vendor was going to be able to deliver, so we would buy from 2 vendors and both of them delivered."

With the unknown of what would happen when the state reopened, spillers said keeping the supplies was not a questioon..

David spillers, huntsville hospital ceo " we just kept it all and put it in the warehouse.

So we put it in the warehouse and over time the vendors were able to give us more because they all increased production."

Spillers said if cases keep going up and ppe manufacturers can't keep up with demand - the hospital will have to start working through it's warehouse while it tries to find more supplies.

Live in huntsville sm waay 31 news.