URGENT UPDATES
PPE Triage Process
COVID-19 Practice Guidance for Service Providers
BULLETIN – ACCESS TO PERSONAL PROTECTIVE
EQUIPMENT (PPE)

For information on the appropriate PPE required for your organization’s
environment, please review the ALBERTA HEALTH SERVICES BEST
PRACTICES on PPE use.

Each Agency must review their existing PPE inventory and continue to source
PPE materials through local sources as best as possible.

When your PPE supplies are running low, you can submit a REQUEST FORM
with the Provincial Emergency Social Services Emergency Coordination Center
at the following website:

T o assist triaging the requests, please ensure to indicate the following :

In the “Agency Type” drop-down choose “Group Home/Residential (Child
Intervention)”
In the “Other/Comment” section add:
Your PPE is at critical or urgent level (see below for definition)
Staff to client ratio
A request for N95 masks would requires confirmation from Infection/Protection as
per the’ Integrated guidelines for the distribution of PPE, sanitization and hygiene
products during Covid-19’.
Any other important information
Ensure that your order is for no more than 14 days

Note: Not all requested PPE materials may be supplied

There is an attempt to process and fill orders as quickly as possible and
organizations may receive partial shipments, as supplies are sent out as soon as
they come in. Organizations should keep track of their various packing slips to
ensure all requested items are received.

Definitions:
  • Critical – You only have enough PPE to last 24 hrs
  • Urgent – You only have enough PPE to last 48 hrs.
  • Vital – You only have enough PPE to last 72 hrs.

Q and A’s Regarding PPE’s

1.Where do you send payment?

A: We do not know as yet, so until such time as directed please just hang
onto your invoice

2. Are orders automatically renewed or do we have to reapply again?
 
A: If your two-week order is entirely filled, then you will have to apply again
once it starts running low. If the two-week order is not filled, then POC logistics
will continue to track that until it is filled. SO THAT MEANS AGENCIES SHOULD
BEGIN APPLYING NOW.

3. What is the process for checking on the status of orders?
 
  • A: All requests for PPE are now going into the CRM system and the inventory is controlled by the Provincial Operations Centre (POC). POC is making every effort to disperse the stock from their warehouse and they are working diligently to satisfy all requests. 

  • If you have questions or queries about what has been delivered or is on the list for delivery, please send an e-mail to GOAPOC.Logistics@gov.ab.ca and BMA.PPESupport@gov.ab.ca for clarity. This email address can be shared with external stakeholders. This is where you will send future queries .

4. What is the process when a service provider receives PPE they have not ordered?

  • Some areas have reported receiving PPE which they had not requested and do not need.
  • There is no current process in place for dealing with overages. The Executive Director of AEMA did reassure us that payment would not be required for items which had not been requested.
  • Until POC is aware of the extent of the problem EMBCS (EMT) recommends the following actions:
  • Separate and do not use the overages.
  • Keep a copy of the original paper showing what you requested.
  • Keep a copy of the paperwork you received with your order highlighting any deficiencies.
  • If you have been made aware of any overages please email us at: CS.EmergencyServices@gov.ab.ca. We will report the issues to the POC. If there are isolated cases, they will be dealt with on an individual basis. However, if the problem is wide spread a process will likely be put in place.