As COVID-19 cases continue to surge throughout the state, many providers are again experiencing PPE shortages – especially with gloves – and we thought it would be helpful to remind members of the process for requesting supplies from the State.

The State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) maintains a stockpile of PPE that it distributes to hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living, EMS, clinics, and other health care providers. They monitor PPE shortages and coordinate distribution of supplies through eight Health Care Coalitions (HCCs), and providers should continue to work with your regional Coalition during the COVID-19 response. The current allocation process is described in this Prioritization Protocol: PPE Requests for Providers of Direct Patient Care.

What PPE is available? The available inventory includes face or surgical masks, N95 respirators, isolation/disposable gowns, gloves, and face shields/eye protection.

Who is eligible to ask for supplies? At this time both nursing homes and assisted living are eligible to request supplies, including those with known COVID-19 cases and those without known cases.

What steps do we have to take before seeking resources from the State? Because supplies are limited, the State asks providers to do the following before submitting a request:

• Conserve the PPE that you do have, following the CDC’s recommended conservation strategies.
• Request supplies from your regional Health Care Coalition before submitting a request to the State.
• Pursue all available options to obtain PPE on your own, including regular ordering and procurement processes, and from within your own organization if you are part of a larger system. To be eligible for supplies from the state warehouse a provider must upload documentation that demonstrates you tried to obtain PPE from at least two vendors and were unable to do so.

How do we make the ask for help? Submit requests to the Statewide Health Care Coordination Center through the Minnesota Department of Health REDCap web platform.

How does the State evaluate requests? Submitting a request does not guarantee that a provider will receive supplies. Currently MDH will validate requests in these priority categories:

• Priority 1: 0-3 day supply in current facility inventory (Crisis)
• Priority 2: 4-7 day supply in current facility inventory (Contingency)

Validated requests flow directly to the SEOC Logistics function. SEOC Logistics will arrange for transport of PPE assets to the requesting facility. If there are not enough resources to fill Priority 1 or Priority 2 requests, the MDH DOC designated representative will notify the requesting facility that all or a portion of their PPE requests will not be filled due to the unavailability of resources.

Please continue to let our LeadingAge MN team know about your PPE needs and supply chain issues, and we will continue to work and advocate on your behalf.