An Analysis of the United States’ Response to Securing Personal Protective Equipment Amidst COVID-19
Open Access
- Author:
- Strobel, Jacqueline
- Area of Honors:
- Supply Chain and Information Systems
- Degree:
- Bachelor of Science
- Document Type:
- Thesis
- Thesis Supervisors:
- Robert Alexander Novack, Thesis Supervisor
John C Spychalski, Thesis Honors Advisor - Keywords:
- COVID-19
supply chain
personal protective equipment - Abstract:
- The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed many underlying issues with the United States’ emergency response plans, as well as the supply chain system for personal protective equipment. These downfalls resulted in detrimental human and economic loss across the entire nation. No state has been spared, and the United States’ decision to act as fifty separate states, rather than one unified nation, has only aggravated the problem. At the end of this thesis, an analysis will be performed on New Zealand, a country that responded successfully to the pandemic through a universal and united strategy. This thesis will begin with an overall look into the federal and state governments’ roles in responding to national emergencies, as well as an overview on healthcare supply chain management in the United States. The thesis will then delve into the supply chain operations behind personal protective equipment, both before and during the pandemic. Next, the thesis will take a quick look at New Zealand’s overall response to COVID-19, in order to consider key discrepancies between the response in the United States. Lastly, the thesis will conclude with recommendations on how to better improve the United States’ response and outlook on the supply chain behind personal protective equipment. After careful analysis of the current state of emergency preparedness and supply chain management surrounding personal protective equipment, it is clear that the United States must make the necessary improvements to ensure the protection of the economy and health of the citizens. This analysis highlights the need for a more universal approach to emergency preparation and response, establishing a plan for an increase in domestic manufacturing of personal protective equipment, and shifting away from the just-in-time healthcare delivery system.