PPE needs in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic: An analysis using the GetUsPPE online platform

The United States is heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic starting in 2020. Demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) domestically, along with global surge in demand for PPE during the pandemic, overwhelmed supply chains, leading to acute PPE shortages. This article analyzes the PPE supply and demand in the United States by employing data collected by GetUsPPE, a data hub used throughout the pandemic to coordinate support efforts, including connecting facilities in need of PPE with donated supplies. In this article, PPE requests were examined by facility type (acute vs. non-acute care), geographic location, and PPE type. The research team observed that PPE demand was dispersed across the United States. In the beginning of the pandemic when demand was highest, most requesting facilities self-reported as acute care facilities, whereas non-acute care facilities predominated after June 2020. Additionally, the demand for respirators, disinfecting wipes, gowns, face shields, and surgical masks peaked in response to the first, second, and third waves of COVID-19. This analysis can be utilized in the future to optimize the tracking of PPE shortages and relief efforts.