Area hospitals seek donated protective gear, medical supplies amid pandemic. Here’s how to help.
As coronavirus cases continue to surge across the nation, hospitals in every state are dealing with the stressful demand to combat the virus, but with limited resources. North Carolina hospitals, along with others around the country, are asking for donations of medical supplies, especially personal protective equipment, or PPE, for health care providers.
Health care officials are asking for donations of vital supplies such as the N95 masks, surgical masks (with and without shields), disposable gloves, disposable shoe covers, eye protection and handmade masks.
In addition to donations of nasal swabs, disinfectant, hand sanitizer with more than 60 percent alcohol and hand soap.
The pandemic is “putting a strain on the whole system that’s never been felt before,” said Dr. Chris DeRienzo, chief medical officer at WakeMed.
“We are concerned about the long-term integrity of the supply chain across the United States,” Katie Galbraith, president of Duke Regional Hospital, said Monday.The Durham hospital, for example, is using about 600,000 masks that loop around the ears every month, up from about 350,000 a month in December, Galbraith said.
“We’re seeing an increase in our usage of those masks and other supplies. If you take that across the U.S., you begin to see where we want to make sure that the supply chain in the U.S. can keep up with that,” she said.
Dr. William Fulkerson, executive vice president of Duke University Health System, and Dr. Mary Klotman, dean of Duke’s medical school, have written to President Donald Trump, imploring him to use the Defense Production Act to ramp up production of masks, ventilators and other needed supplies.
“Please use the powers of the Defense Production Act now to mass produce and coordinate distribution of these critical supplies before the need worsens and the shortages become even more dire. Our front line workers and patients are depending on your leadership,” they said in the March 20 letter.
DeRienzo said it’s difficult for suppliers to keep up with demand.
“Much of the equipment is made in different countries around the world that are also being hit by this global pandemic,” he said.
“We literally have one N95 mask that we’re passing around, which is a travesty,” said Dr. C. Nicole Swiner, one of five physicians at Durham Family Medicine.
UNC Health spokeswoman Kerry Heckle said hospitals will accept handmade masks.
“While they may not be medical grade, should it come to it, we’d like to have them on hand,” she said.
Deaconess Hospital, in Indiana, has online instructions to make facemasks.
If you would like to donate, supplies can be dropped off at these locations:
*As conditions change, the items accepted for donation may change as well. We will update this list on a regular basis.
UNC Health System
You may donate to the COVID-19 Response Fund that will provide critical funding for UNC Health’s immediate needs to fight the pandemic. If you have a question about donations email covidsupplies@unchealth.unc.edu.
UNC Health Learning Street, 2001 Carrington Mill Blvd., Morrisville
April 6 -10 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
UNC Wellness Center at Meadowmont, 100 Sprunt St., Chapel Hill
April 6 -10 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Nash County
To donate items to Nash UNC Health Care, please contact Kirby Slade, Kirby.slade@unchealth.unc.edu, or call 252-962-8835.
Rex Wellness Center of Raleigh, 4200 Lake Boone Trail, Raleigh
April 6 -10 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Old Rocky Mount Eye Building, 400 Nash Medical Arts Mall, Rocky Mount
Monday- Friday from 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Duke Health, 100 Golden Drive, Durham
Duke Health needs N95 masks, surgical and looped masks, and unopened boxes of gloves in particular. Hand sewn face masks, gowns are not being accepted. Inquiries related to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) may be sent to PPEdonations@duke.edu.
Monday – Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Duke Health Raleigh Location, 1233-D Front Street, Raleigh, NC 27609
Monday – Friday from 8:00 am– 4:00 pm
You may also make a gift to the Duke COVID-19 Response Fund.
WakeMed, email at info@wakemed.org
Anyone with unopened PPE and supplies are urged to email WakeMed at info@wakemed.org with details regarding available items. WakeMed is not accepting handmade items or food donations.
Due to high volume, all individuals and organizations that email will be contacted within 24 to 48 hours regarding the items and the process for making the donation.
WakeMed will also be accepting monetary donations through the WakeMed Foundation’s COVID-19 response, the money will go directly to urgent initiatives.
Cape Fear Valley Health, Medical Arts Building,101 Robeson St., Fayetteville
Anyone providing donations to Cape Fear Valley Health is asked to call 910-615-1285 to schedule a drop-off.
NHRMC Business Center 3151 S. 17th Street, Wilmington
Starting Monday, March 23 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Goodwill Opportunity Campus, 5301 Wilkerson Blvd., Charlotte
Thursdays & Saturdays, from noon – 4 p.m.
Goodwill Ballantyne, 16025 Lancaster Highway, Charlotte
Thursdays & Saturdays, from noon – 4 p.m.
