In July and August 2022, an increasing number of anesthesiologists began to notice potential and actual shortages of their preferred epidural kits. Although most anesthesiologists did not have to find substitutes for their kits, a significant number of anesthesiologists nonetheless sounded the alarm that this equipment shortage could affect, to some extent, the quality of care they delivered. Epidural kits were just one of many products and equipment that anesthesiologists experienced in short supply in 2022.
Equipment shortages were more of an issue for anesthesiologists, manufacturers, and federal stakeholders during the COVID-19 pandemic. In March and April 2020, anesthesiologists and their groups, as well as hospitals and other front-line health care workers, experienced acute shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) and many other supplies brought upon by a perfect storm of a pandemic, outdated regulatory barriers, and manufacturing challenges. To assuage the shortage, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services...
