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On May 14, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced in All Facilities Letter 21-15 that the Statewide Logistics Task Force has authorized all health care providers and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) responders to access the state inventory to request a one-time, 30-day sustainment supply of personal protective equipment (PPE). This 30-day supply is free of charge and may be used for stockpiles or in daily operations. Health care providers and EMS responders may request this 30-day supply irrespective of the current state of commercial supply chains.
This is currently a one-time initiative that will end on June 15.
The types of PPE authorized from the state inventory to request are:
- BYD procedure/surgical masks
- BYD N95 masks
- Face shields
- Hand sanitizer
- Goggles
- Gowns
- Nitrile gloves
- Disinfecting wipes
CDPH indicates that facilities should follow established local protocols for requesting resources and work with their Medical Health Operational Area Coordinator (MHOAC) to coordinate fulfillment of this sustainment resource request. CDPH advises that, if possible, a single sustainment resource request should be created. It directs facilities with any questions to contact their MHOAC.
Under two measures signed by the governor last year to address perceived shortcomings in the law uncovered by the pandemic, hospitals are required to have a stockpile of PPE. Assembly Bill 2537 (Rodriguez, D-Pomona) requires all acute care hospitals to create and maintain a 90-day supply of PPE beginning April 1, and Senate Bill 275 (Pan, D-Sacramento) requires, among other things, the creation of a state stockpile of PPE for essential employees.