Skilled nursing facilities and assisted living communities treating people with COVID-19 have experienced a 1,064% increase in costs for required personal protective equipment since the deadly virus started its rampage in the U.S, according to an article Thursday in McKnight’s Long-Term Care News.
The rise is even higher (1,084%) for those using nitrile gloves due to vinyl glove shortages or allergies, reported the Society for Healthcare Organization Procurement Professionals.
The group’s analysis attributes the huge price increase to supply-and-demand factors, as well as the increased number of items mandated for safety and the call for frequent changes.
The largest reported price increases have been for isolation gowns (2,000%), N95 masks (1,513%), 3-ply masks (1,500%) and reusable face shields (900%). The most remarkable rise was for 3M N95 masks, which rose from $0.11 to $6.75 each (6,136% increase), though they are currently unavailable, according to SHOPP.
Soap (184%) and nitrile gloves (200%) were the only products of the 11 listed to cost double or less.
