The product in shortage — non-sterile, single-use pneumatic tourniquet cuffs — are used in emergency and trauma settings and elective limb surgeries, the FDA said.
Before the FDA acknowledged the shortage, Steven Chyung, senior vice president and chief supply chain and procurement officer of Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser Permanente, told Becker’s the supply issue is spurring more collaboration between the supply team, clinicians, manufacturers and operators.
“One of the things it causes us to look at is, can we reprocess tourniquets instead of always using single-use?” Mr. Chyung said. “It causes us to think differently with our clinicians around, ‘Can we go to a multiuse device?’ Then, [we] work with our manufacturers on how we can reprocess there.”
The FDA’s recommendations parallel this process. The agency said to limit tourniquet use “based on surgical flow needs,” reusing devices after cleaning and disinfecting them, and utilize nonpneumatic tourniquet cuffs in elective limb surgical procedures.
Manufacturers are aware of the shortage and are working to increase supply, the agency said.
Becker’s 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit is the top tier event that the people leading the future of pharmacy convene. This 3-day event is built specifically for Chief Pharmacy Officers and senior pharmacy leaders. The sessions examine the workforce, financial and clinical priorities shaping pharmacy today. Becker’s is where candid discussions flourish and new ideas thrive. Becker's 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit
