Nearly 700,000 patient masks. About 600,000 N95 respirators. Over half a million gowns, pairs of gloves or face shields. 

That’s how much PPE that ISMA estimates is needed each month by all independent physician practices operating at full capacity in Indiana, based on responses from recent ISMA member surveys. Thank you to all those who replied; calculating demand is a critical first step in gaining access to quality PPE at competitive prices. 

ISMA recently communicated these needs to state officials. ISMA staff have also been in regular contact with the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), which is currently sourcing PPE for all sectors of the state’s economy. In response to our advocacy for making PPE accessible to all physicians, including independent-physician members who don’t have bulk purchasing power, the IEDC has worked with ISMA to identify several PPE suppliers it has vetted for quality and price. Many of these companies have retooled their usual operations to produce or acquire PPE during the Covid-19 crisis. 

ISMA has held multiple calls to determine if, when and how these Hoosier companies may be able to sell PPE directly to ISMA members. By next week, we will be able to begin sharing contact information for Indiana companies that will be ready to accept physicians’ online retail orders for some PPE, including hand sanitizer and patient masks. More products will be shared as they become available. These products will be sold at discounted bulk rates, regardless of quantities purchased. 
 
Watch for communications next week with more details and information on how to order from these Hoosier companies to help meet your PPE needs!