Face mask changes
Dear Valued Baxter Customer,
We are writing to inform you of changes to two specific items that are occasionally used by some peritoneal dialysis patients – disposable face masks and gloves. While masks and gloves are not essential to perform PD therapy1, Baxter is implementing new sources of supply to enhance support for customers who prefer to have these products be part of their daily dialysis therapy. It will take up to 90 days to fully implement these new sources of supply. If a person does not currently order these products from Baxter, this update may not be applicable. Please see Table 1 and Table 2 for details related to ordering masks and gloves.
What to expect:
- New product codes for masks (week of 27 July 2020) and gloves (week of 3 August 2020) may be visible to order if those products are currently on patient prescriptions. The new codes will be made available in equivalent unit quantities per order as compared to the existing product codes. Example: If a patient was previously able to order 1 box of 50 masks (5K8070M), Baxter will replace it with 5 packs of 10 masks (5K8070S).
- While the new sources of supply are fully implemented, inventory will be distributed to all local warehouses to increase the likelihood that mask and glove orders will be delivered with other items on each PD supply order. During this time, patients may experience temporary split shipments or slight delays in receiving masks or gloves. After ordering, patients may check the status of their shipment by calling HomeCare Services during business hours at 1-800-284-4060.
Table 1: Face Mask and Glove Product Summary
Baxter remains committed to serving customers in the best manner possible. For clinical and therapy technique questions, it’s always best for patients to consult with their physician or dialysis care provider. HomeCare Services is able to help with questions about how to order these products will be able to periodically share updates over the next 90 days.
1 ISPD Guidelines – 2016
2 https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/reopen-guidance.html
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/ppe-strategy/index.html
Table 2: New Face Mask and Glove Products
Tobi Karchmer, MD, MS |
Kenneth Lober |