America’s hospitals, strained by nearly two years of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, are now scrounging for basic medical supplies. In another consequence of the global supply chain crisis, hospitals managing holiday COVID surges and all their other patients are running short of many necessities of care: crutches, syringes, needles, tubing, gloves, catheters, drapes for surgery, suction canisters for medical waste, and even urine cups. After the difficulties that health care workers faced in securing personal protective equipment in 2020, supply chain managers and other experts say shortages and delays of other common supplies escalated this year. President Joe Biden’s promises to speed supplies into the country have repeatedly focused on ensuring that holiday gifts fill U.S. store shelves. “Only Santa Claus” can make sure they arrive on time, Biden said in a Dec. 1 speech about his administration’s efforts. Medical supplies received a passing reference. In the meantime, clinicians describe making do, …