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Although the presence of the coronavirus causing COVID-19 has not been confirmed in Poland so far, the concern about the possibility of infection is very evident, especially in pharmacies. We have been informing for a month that there are no protective masks, but also disposable gloves and antibacterial gels. This is a problem not only for patients but also for doctors.
The wholesalers lack masks, the doctors have a problem
The lack of face masks in pharmacies and wholesalers is the number one topic in connection with the spread of the coronavirus in Europe. Patients go away with a ticket, and when asked when the masks will be available, pharmacists truthfully answer “I don’t know”.
The problem faced by patients also affects doctors.
– Two weeks ago, I received information from wholesalers that there was a problem with the masks and that we should stockpile ourselves. They talked not only about masks, but also about disinfectants. These products began to be regulated by our wholesalers. It was said that we can buy five or ten packages for one activity, not more – says Dr. Emma Kiworkowa, owner of the Villa Nova clinic, doctor of medical sciences, dentist and orthodontist.
The people responsible for supplies at the clinic immediately began stocking up on basic protective equipment, such as masks, gloves and disinfectants. Our interlocutor pointed out that the prices of these products have recently increased significantly.
– The masks are sold in packages of several dozen or several hundred. Calculated per piece, they cost about 60 groszy until recently. Now we have to pay as much as PLN 5 – he adds.
On a popular auction site, individual masks can be purchased for as much as PLN 10, and packages of 50 items cost from PLN 400 upwards.
– We managed to stock up, because we are a large clinic, I have 17 offices and we order hundreds or even thousands of such products. To do this, we contacted not only our regular contractors. We called most dental wholesalers – explains Kiworkowa and adds: wholesalers also have a problem with supply, they bring goods from abroad, and as you can see, it is now in short supply.
Why is the equipment with personal protective equipment so important, not only for doctors, but above all for patients?
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There are no masks, no scheduled treatment
The lack of masks and other personal protective equipment is a serious problem. Not only for patients who are sent away from the pharmacy, but also for doctors.
– All doctors, especially dentists, must use protective masks. We work bent over the patient’s mouth, which is why the mask is a standard. Procedures for medical personnel who work directly with the patient are clear and require the doctor to use personal protective equipment, explains Kiworkowa.
These safeguards protect the doctor (in our case, the dentist) against secretions from the patient’s oral cavity, but also protect the patient, this particular and subsequent ones. The use of personal protective equipment reduces the risk of transmission of bacteria, viruses and other pathogens.
– Hundreds of masks are used in the office every day. If one doctor has ten patients, then ten masks are used. Another ten are consumed by the assistant. If, on a given day, let’s say 20 doctors and the same number of assistants, and each duo will admit ten patients, we will use 400 masks – calculates our interlocutor.
The clinic has managed to stock up, but the pace of using masks and other supplies is dizzying. It is also known that such stocks have been made everywhere. What happens if doctors run out of masks?
— In my opinion, there may be a reduction in the number of patient admissions. If the doctor does not have personal protective equipment, he may refuse the services. I’m not talking about life-saving ones, it’s obvious, but about planned surgeries. Due to the lack of funds, they can be extended in time – explains the expert.
If the doctors do not have personal protective equipment, planned procedures may be postponed and canceled.
– Nowadays a doctor will not come to a patient without personal protection. And it is not only about the possibility of becoming infected and transmitting the coronavirus, which is now the number one topic, but also about jaundice viruses, HIV, pathogenic bacteria and other pathogens against which the doctor protects himself and patients on a daily basis – he adds.
The mask protects the sick and exposed people
The World Health Organization, in response to the question of whether you should wear a mask to protect yourself, replies that “people without respiratory symptoms, such as coughing, do not need to wear a medical mask.” WHO recommends the use of masks for people with COVID-19 symptoms (fever, cough and shortness of breath), as well as for people who are around the sick. Wearing masks is crucial for healthcare professionals.
WHO also explains that the mask does not protect against infection, and what’s more, it can become a potential source of this infection if the wearer does not follow other preventive measures – does not wash his hands and do not sanitize them with alcohol-based products.