Imaging leaders ‘highly concerned’ about dwindling supplies during pandemic

Several imaging societies are alarmed by dwindling equipment supplies during the coronavirus pandemic and are urging the White House to step up and help their members.

In a letter to President Donald Trump Thursday, the groups noted the critical role of radiologic technologists and medical sonographers in care delivery. Face-to-face interaction with patients is routine for these frontline professionals. However, the American College of Radiology and others are “highly concerned” by the country’s insufficient supply of N95 masks, face shields, gowns, gloves and other personal protective equipment, they wrote March 26.

“These healthcare professionals cannot perform their job without intimate patient contact. Thus, it is critical that proper PPE be available to them,” wrote the ACR, Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, American Registry of Radiologic Technologies and others. “They should not be asked to expose themselves to COVID-19 and put their loved ones at risk while performing the wide variety of lifesaving imaging exams that require their talents and expertise,” the groups added later.

Leaders from the six societies said they stand ready to work with federal and state agencies to address these shortages. They thanked the president for declaring a state of emergency and taking steps to begin curbing the disease's spread, adding: “We implore you to further accelerate that [PPE] production by all means necessary." 

A recent survey of more than 11,000 practice leaders found that nearly 90% are facing equipment shortages during the pandemic. That prompted the American Medical Association and others to also ask House and Senate leaders for help earlier this week. In the meantime, the FDA said it’s taking action to bolster supplies, while Ford Motor Company is also chipping in its own manufacturing expertise.