Challenges Faced by Smaller Physician Practices in Acquiring PPE and Ensuring Patient Safety Post-Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has created many issues for healthcare providers in the U.S., especially smaller physician practices. One major challenge is securing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for patient safety. This article looks at the difficulties these practices have in obtaining PPE after the pandemic, the financial pressures they face, and how technology solutions, including artificial intelligence, can help improve operations.

The Financial Strain on Small Practices

In 2020, physician practices experienced a significant drop in revenue. Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) spending decreased by up to 57% in the early months of the pandemic, leading to an estimated reduction of $13.9 billion, a 14% decrease for the year. Many physicians report that their revenue remains below pre-pandemic levels, with an average decline of 32%. As a result, smaller practices, which often operate on narrow margins, find it challenging to maintain financial stability while ensuring safety for patient interactions.

With a noticeable decline in patient volume—weekly in-person visits fell from 95 to 57—expenses have increased, adding to their financial difficulties. A significant rise in PPE acquisition costs has also been reported, with 64% of practice owners stating that expenses have climbed by an average of 57% since before the pandemic. These added costs have further highlighted their financial vulnerabilities and created more operational challenges.

Challenges in Acquiring PPE

PPE, which includes masks, gloves, gowns, and face shields, has been essential during the pandemic. However, obtaining adequate supplies of PPE is still challenging for many smaller physician practices. Reports show that 36% of physicians found it very or extremely difficult to source PPE, with smaller, physician-owned practices facing the toughest obstacles.

• Rationing Supplies: Many practices are forced to ration supplies or settle for lower quality alternatives. This affects their ability to provide safe care and raises safety concerns among staff and patients.
• Sourcing Issues: Smaller practices often lack the ability to negotiate bulk purchasing, unlike larger healthcare organizations. They frequently end up competing for limited supplies, resulting in increased costs and delays in the supply chain.
• Financial Constraints: Beyond purchasing PPE, smaller practices must manage the rising costs of maintaining sufficient inventory. This may lead to choices that could compromise patient safety in order to remain financially viable.

The Role of Telehealth Services

The pandemic resulted in a major shift towards telehealth services, which helped reduce face-to-face interactions. In 2020, about 39% of Medicare fee-for-service recipients used telehealth services, a sharp increase from less than 1% in 2019. However, telehealth cannot entirely replace in-person visits, and 70% of physicians reported fewer total visits during the pandemic compared to before.

Despite these challenges, telehealth allows practices to continue providing care while reducing exposure risks. However, since in-person visits are still essential for various types of care, the ongoing need for PPE should not be overlooked.

Persisting Safety Concerns

Even with increased telehealth use, safety concerns for staff and patients persist. Enhanced safety measures are necessary for those visiting practices in person. This involves ensuring adequate PPE for staff and enough supplies for patients, particularly in waiting areas.

Smaller practices also must navigate different state and federal regulations related to PPE and sanitization processes. With numerous guidelines to follow, staying compliant can be difficult, especially for practices with limited staff who may lack training on evolving compliance standards.

The Need for Ongoing Economic Relief

Federal relief programs launched during the pandemic, such as the CARES Act, provided temporary assistance to physician practices. While many found these programs helpful, ongoing financial support is needed for full recovery. Comprehensive aid is required to address not only PPE procurement but also other financial and operational challenges stemming from reduced patient volumes.

Evidence suggests many practices rely on federal aid to offset PPE costs. As support diminishes, the sustainability of smaller practices becomes increasingly uncertain. Access to funding opportunities is essential for bridging gaps while they work on rebuilding patient volumes and maintaining safety standards.

Artificial Intelligence and Process Automation: A Potential Solution

Improving PPE Acquisition through AI Automation

As smaller physician practices face difficulties in acquiring PPE, technology can help streamline their operations. Artificial intelligence (AI) and workflow automation can be useful. Companies like Simbo AI work on automating front office tasks, which can optimize workflows and enable practices to use resources more efficiently.

Implementing AI-powered systems allows healthcare administrators to automate routine procurement tasks. These functions may include vendor management, tracking inventory, and placing orders for PPE. By automating these tasks, administrative teams can focus more on improving patient experiences and providing care.

Enhancing Patient Experience

AI-driven solutions can enhance interactions with patients. Automating appointment scheduling and follow-ups enables staff to concentrate on important areas, like ensuring a steady flow of PPE during in-person visits. AI can also handle inquiries about safety protocols, telehealth services, and appointment availability, improving communication within practices.

Data-Driven Decision Making

AI technology can provide insights that help practice owners make informed choices. By analyzing trends in PPE supply chain data, practices can determine the best times to reorder supplies, preventing shortages. Access to real-time information about patient inquiries and safety measures can help practices allocate resources effectively.

Moreover, advanced AI systems can predict patient volumes. Understanding expected patient flows enables practices to prepare better for PPE needs and ensure safety measures are in place.

Operational Efficiency

By adopting AI technologies and automation, smaller practices can boost their operational efficiency. Reducing manual tasks leads to a better experience for staff and patients. Ultimately, as these practices prioritize the safety of their patients, automation can serve as a supportive system in achieving that goal.

In conclusion, while smaller physician practices are working to recover from the challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, many continue to face issues with PPE acquisition and maintaining safety standards. Financial limitations, sourcing troubles, and changes in compliance requirements complicate the situation. Nevertheless, utilizing technology, particularly AI and automation, can assist in addressing these challenges. By enhancing operational efficiency, automating essential processes, and facilitating informed decision-making, practices can keep focused on providing quality patient care.