Hospitals and other suppliers are experiencing lag in delivering 8,000 to 12,000 containers of critical medical supplies and equipment, and this setback may have a negative impact on patient care and public health.

Due to the following reasons, medical resources in the entire U.S. transportation system are delayed by an average of 37 days at most supply chain Congestion, according to Research From the Health Industry Distributors Association.

The medical cargo was held in a US port for approximately 17 days. The ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles in California have the largest number of delayed medical containers on the West Coast. The association reports that the Port of Savannah, Georgia, is the most congested port on the East Coast.

HIDA estimates that a container can hold approximately 190,000 pieces of medical protective clothing, 360,000 syringes and 3.5 million pairs of surgical gloves. According to the distributor group, these containers were delayed by trains for an average of 11 days, and trucks were delayed for an average of 9 days.

The association currently represents 111 members and is responsible for managing logistics, providing customer service, and delivering medical products and supplies, including 51 billion pieces of personal protective equipment last year.

The organization stated that due to unprecedented transportation disruptions that limit the reliable and timely transportation of medical products, the Health Industry Distributors Association is cooperating with multiple associations and port leaders to provide healthcare professionals and front-line workers faster and more efficiently. Provide equipment.

Matthew Rowan, President and CEO of HIDA, stated in a press release: “HIDA recommends a fast-track system that prioritizes the delivery of essential medical supplies to the frontline of healthcare through ports, rails and trucks.” “During a public health emergency. , The rules and regulations that hinder the timely and effective flow of critical medical supplies must be relaxed.”