The ventilators simply aged out and no funds have been made available to replace them.PPE shortageAlabama also stocked up on personal protective gear (PPE) and other items in preparation for a potential influenza pandemic, according to the 2009 ADPH document.»»ADPH resources that have been stockpiled include: 1,000,000 surgical masks, 400,000 N95 masks, 500,000 antiviral treatment courses, 200,000 syringes, 100,000 biological hazard kits, 2,000 body bags, 80 ventilators general clinic supplies, EP team ‘go kits’, lab specimen collection kits, and Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) and PI federal assets,»» the document stated.But the department did not fully maintain that stockpile over the ensuing years, according to Billingsley.The department did distribute 1,000,000 surgical masks, 400,000 N95 masks and 100,000 biological hazard kits to hospitals nursing homes and licensed EMS providers last month, according to the March 26 statement.
