Ohio announced on Wednesday that it would begin tracking the number of ventilators and similar devices existed in the state.
Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton issued an order on Wednesday requiring weekly reporting from all parts of the supply chain, including manufacturers, producers, wholesalers, transporters, distributors, retailers, physicians, clinics, hospitals and medical facilities. The reporting takes place online and must occur every Wednesday before 5 p.m., starting on April 1.
“This will allow for the identification and re-distribution of machines from healthcare providers who are no longer performing elective procedures,” said Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine in a statement. “It also will help our regional hospital collaboratives by giving them information on the availability of these machines in their regions.”
CPAP and BiPAP machines, commonly used to treat sleep apnea, are to be reported in addition to mechanical ventilators. Anesthetic machines, bag valve masks and nasal cannulas will also be tracked, among others, according to the tracking questionnaire available on Ohio’s website.
Ventilators possessed and used by individuals and ventilators in transit across Ohio but are being delivered to or from other states are exempt from the count.
Acton’s order said that the state will track the inventory of ventilators and related items until Ohio’s State of Emergency orders are no longer in effect. The order comes on the heels of DeWine extending teleworking orders for state employees and extending school closures until May 1.
As of Wednesday, Ohio has more than 2,500 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the state, according to the Ohio Department of Health. These cases have resulted in 679 hospitalizations and 65 deaths.
The United States has more than 186,000 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The death toll for the United States is more than 3,600.
Ventilation inventory can be submitted here.
Read the full order here.
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Jordyn Pair is a reporter for The Michigan Star. Follow her on Twitter at @JordynPair. Email her at [email protected].
Photo “Amy Acton” by The Ohio Channel.
