The Product
An endotracheal tube is placed in a patient’s trachea for surgery or during respiratory failure to keep the patient’s airway open and assist with breathing through a ventilator.
The Challenge
A major Canadian supplier of endotracheal tubes was experiencing a backorder, and other manufacturers were unable to shore up this gap in supply. Meanwhile, the start of respiratory virus season meant demand for tubes was poised to go higher.
The Outcome
After flagging this critical shortage to Health Canada, MMC’s clinicians identified an American supplier of endotracheal tubes and connected them with a Canadian distributor who was willing to obtain Health Canada approval to import these items. MMC surveyed Member hospitals and connected sites that needed these products with this new distributor.