The ACC joined with the Council of Medical Specialty Societies (CMSS) and its member societies to issue a statement that advocates for "action to ensure safer working conditions for physicians and other [health care] professionals on the [front line] of direct patient care."

The letter calls for a simple, uniform mechanism for U.S. health care facilities to report their PPE and medical supply needs to aid with distribution of supplies across the country. The letter also recommends health care professionals should be allowed to use their own PPE to protect themselves, colleagues and patients if their institutions do not have an adequate supply of PPE.

"CMSS and its member societies urge federal, state and local authorities to ensure an adequate supply and distribution of PPE for every frontline [health care] professional in the United States," the letter states. "Physicians and other [health care] professionals can and should expect their institutions to provide appropriate means to limit occupational exposure."

The ACC, along with the broader cardiovascular and health care community, will continue its ongoing, collaborative work with lawmakers, public health professionals, payers and others to help all those on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, who are putting their lives at risk to help patients and their communities. As part of this effort, the ACC has signed on a letter with 12 other cardiovascular and health care society leaders calling for sufficient medical equipment for front-line health care professionals, including ventilators, test kits and PPE.

Clinical Topics: COVID-19 Hub

Keywords: ACC Advocacy, Coronavirus, Coronavirus Infections, COVID-19, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, Health Personnel, Occupational Exposure

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