Budgetary impact on the purchase of personal protective equipment for coping with COVID-19

Abstract

Covid-19 is caused by the coronavirus and transmitted by close contact, droplets and aerosols. To minimize the risk of transmission, healthcare professionals should use personal protective equipment, such as masks or respirators, aprons and gloves. The objective was to analyze the amount consumed of this personal protective equipment before and during the pandemic and also the budgetary impact caused for its acquisition. Retrospective study, comprising the months of January / February 2020 (before the Covid pandemic - 19) and March / April (during the Covid pandemic - 19), in a public hospital. Evaluation of consumption and cost of acquisition of inputs considered as personal protective equipment was performed. Data were collected in the institution's own information system. All the items analyzed showed an important increase in the quantity used and, mainly, in the purchase value, reaching 525% more expensive compared to the months without a pandemic. The increase in costs was related to the scarcity of products both in the national and international markets. Understanding the amounts paid and establishing equipment dispensing control, favors budgetary planning.