Personal Protect Equipment is an important method for virus containment.  South Korea briefly placed a ban on the exportation of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) following shortages on such supplies.  During this time, the government took full control of PPE production, logistics, and distribution.  Mask prices were fixed at 1,500 won ($1.27 USD), sales were limited two per person, every other day.  South Korea is not the only nation to have implemented such measures.  To date, there are no documented South Korean hospitals which were forced to reuse PPE.  Public response to such measures was mixed.

Covid-19 Containment in South Korea Through Personal Protective Equipment Management

Germany was less successful in the management of supplies of PPE and the government not only had to launch a crisis team to centrally procure PPE, they also had to ban the export of all PPE on March 4. There were still shortages, however,  leading to a protest by health care providers on April 27

Germany's Management on Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Smith College

According to the CDC, personal protective equipment (PPE) is used every day by healthcare personnel (HCP) to protect themselves, patients, and others when providing care. PPE helps protect HCP from many hazards encountered in healthcare facilities. However, the sudden surge in cases has lead to a spike in the demand for PPEs, leading to shortages all around the world.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and COVID-19

Nanomaterials can be used to increase the performance and safety of PPE, such as air filters and masks. They may be used to not only capture aerosol droplets but also inactivate the virus upon contact with the surfaces of PPE. 

Opportunities for nanotechnology-based solutions to increase the efficiency and safety of air filter and mask devices include (i) improving particle capture and retention characteristics, particularly, in the 300 nm diameter size range; (ii) reducing the effects of exhaled humid air on particle redistribution; (iii) rapid inactivation of membrane-bound microbes including enveloped viruses upon capture; and (iv) thin, high-efficiency filtration media for personal masks that are able to be reused repeatedly without loss of efficiency (e.g., novel electrospun nanofibers). 


Nanomaterials for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

The normal PPE supply chain process is usually the sourcing teams choosing 2-3 large-scale distributors. The supplies from the distributors are delivered weekly. The distributors usually purchase directly from the manufacturer or third parties. In the U.S., PPE production is limited with more than 70% of PPE produced in China. Due to the spike of demand, distributors cannot acquire PPE to meet the demands. 
- Why aren't distributors purchasing more PPE?
- The Department of Health and Human Services' Strategic National Stockplie
- Negative consequences of PPE shortage
- What should be done?

PPE Supply Chains 

- Face Masks
- Face Shields
-Environmental Precautions
- Gloves

Types of PPE

In the absence of certain effective controls, PPE has limited benefit. Such controls include:
- Administrative controls
- Environmental and engineering controls

Management of Personal Protective Equipment


- Minimize the need for PPE in health care settings
- Ensure rational and appropriate use of PPE
- Coordinate PPE supply chain management mechanisms.


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