CDC announces PPE usage calculator tool

The tool calculates the average use rate for each type of equipment to help agencies plan for shortages

By Amanda Lien

WASHINGTON — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a new spreadsheet designed to assist healthcare and public safety agencies with planning and optimizing the use of personal protective equipment.

Agencies can enter the number of full boxes of gowns, gloves, surgical masks, face shields and any other types of PPE the agency has into the PPE Burn Rate Calculator. The spreadsheet will then calculate the average consumption rate for each type of PPE.

The CDC recommends the Burn Rate Calculator be used to plan and optimize PPE usage as part of the response to COVID-19. Agencies can download the spreadsheet from the CDC’s website. The CDC has also released updated COVID-19 guidelines for law enforcement and corrections officers.