The Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation received less than a one-day supply of gloves from the state’s emergency operations center. The delivery arrived on Oct. 22 after YKHC issued a notice saying that it was sanitizing and reusing gloves to conserve supply.
YKHC is using about 5,000 pairs of gloves per day. The state sent the health corporation 350 pairs.
YKHC Vice President of Communications Tiffany Zulkosky says that YKHC has between a 15 to 30-day supply of gloves, and it’s burning through them quickly as outbreaks spread across the region. In just a week, the health corporation’s glove usage increased by 75%.
Gloves are currently only being reused during COVID-19 testing, Zulkosky says. Providers reuse the gloves for up to six patients, sanitizing them with alcohol-based hand sanitizer between patients. This conservation method is suggested by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention during glove shortages.
“If YKHC gets to a point where it has seven days worth of gloves or less," Zulkosky said, "we’ll have to ask providers to use this conservation method beyond the COVID testing area. Though that is a worst case scenario, that’s not a position we find ourselves in right now.”
YKHC uses non-latex, medical grade gloves. Zulkosky says that YKHC is considering not using medical grade gloves for low risk situations, like measuring the height and weight of an infant during a well-child visit.
The Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta is experiencing the fastest acceleration of COVID-19 cases in the state. The region leads Alaska in average daily case counts.
Zulkosky says that YKHC has been working to stockpile gloves and other personal protective equipment, or PPE, since before the region had its first COVID-19 case. As the nation has entered its third COVID-19 surge and Alaska reaches a new peak, it’s much harder to find protective gear.
“This is not unique to Bethel; this is not unique to YKHC. This is happening across Alaska and across the country,” Zulkosky said.
YKHC is also conserving N-95 masks. The health corporation estimates that it has more than a 30-day supply. Health care workers are changing masks every seven days in low-risk areas, like in obstetrics. They’re changing them every day in higher risk areas like dental, the emergency department, and in-patient care.
YKHC has a 60 to 90-day supply of alcohol-based hand sanitizer, and Zulkosky says that people are welcome to donate gloves to the health corporation.
