SOUTHEASTERN, N.C. — If by any chance local residents, businesses, or community groups still have a stash of masks, gloves, or other protective gear, area health and safety organizations are still looking for donations.
With nationwide shortages, healthcare providers have turned to the public for donations of personal protective equipment (PPE).
Monday, a team of researchers shared updated projections on when Covid-19 may peak in North Carolina. If the state maintains stay-in-place restrictions past April, peak system stress will likely occur in mid-to-late May, with about a 25% chance that demand for acute and ICU beds will exceed available capacity statewide. If restrictions are lifted at the end of the month, there’s about a 50% chance the system could be overwhelmed.
New Hanover County/ NHRMC
New Hanover County emergency personnel and New Hanover Regional Medical Center (NHRMC) are jointly asking for PPE. Since first requesting donations March 25, the county has accepted more than 25,000 items.
As of Monday, NHRMC’s supplies are “good,” according to its spokesperson, Julian March.
“The safety of our patients, staff and providers is our top priority, so we have been working to ensure we have the personal protective equipment we need to get us through the height of the pandemic and beyond. We are seeing the results of these efforts and at this point, our supplies are good. We appreciate all those in the community who have donated equipment to help protect our caregivers,” he wrote in a statement.
NHRMC starting making masks available to all patient-facing staff as of late March. The hospital has asked staff to practice conservation efforts, “such as limiting the number of masks used per shift, knowing that masks that become wet or soiled will be changed.”
Asked which material the hospital needs the most, March said needs fluctuate. “One important way the community can support healthcare workers is to practice physical distancing and follow other public health guidelines in place to slow the process of transmission,” he said.
Accepted items include:
- Unused masks rated N95 or higher: 3M Healthcare or NIOSH approved preferred
- Full face shields
- Impervious gowns: AAMI Level 2
- Gloves: Nitrile or non-latex preferred
- Unused ear loop masks
- Unused surgical masks: meet the surgical masks regulations under 21 CFR 878.4040 preferred
- Unused surgical masks with face shield: meet the surgical masks regulations under 21 CFR 878.4040 preferred
- Medical/dental gowns
The county and hospital are accepting PPE Monday through Friday at the hospital’s business center off 17th Street from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturday until 2 p.m.
Dosher Memorial
Since first requesting PPE March 27, Dosher Memorial Hospital has accepted “a few” boxes of gloves, surgical masks, and N95 masks, according to its spokesperson, Ilene Evans.
Dosher Memorial’s supply of PPE is “adequate” as of Monday, Evans said.
The hospital has received offers to donate handmade items, which it appreciates. Handmade cloth masks do not meet current CDC guidelines and would be used only as a “very last resort,” according to Evans.
As of Monday, Dosher Memorial has not asked healthcare professionals to re-use masks. Dosher is accepting:
- Unused surgical masks, with and without face shields
- Unused N95 masks
- Unopened boxes of surgical gloves
Call 910-457-3920 or email [email protected] to schedule a drop-off appointment with Dosher.
Brunswick County EMS
Brunswick County first asked the public for PPE donations on March 31.
Brunswick County Emergency Services is accepting the following items:
- Unused masks rated N95 or higher: 3M Healthcare or NIOSH approved preferred
- Full face shields
- Impervious gowns: AAMI Level 2
- Gloves: Nitrile or non-latex preferred
- Unused ear loop masks
- Unused surgical masks: meet the surgical masks regulations under 21 CFR 878.4040 preferred
- Unused surgical masks with face shield: meet the surgical masks regulations under 21 CFR 878.4040 preferred
- Medical/dental gowns
The county is accepting PPE donations Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Building C in its government complex in Bolivia. Building C. Donors are encouraged to call either Emergency Services at 910-253-5383 before arriving.
Novant Health
On Tuesday, April 7, Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center announced it would accept PPE at the Shallotte Walgreens.
Medical equipment must be unopened:
- Masks (N95, surgical and procedure).
- Disinfecting wipes such as Clorox or Sani-cloth wipes.
- Hand sanitizer.
- Face shields.
- Goggles and eye shields.
- Isolation or surgical gowns.
Novant Health will also accept homemade face masks and shields, provided the materials are made following specific instructions provided by the hospital.
Good Shepherd Center
The Wilmington-area’s largest homeless shelter is in need of masks (even the cotton and/or washable kind) and hand sanitizer.
- Drop off or mail donations to 811 Martin Street, Wilmington, NC 28401.
- Since phones have been busy, get in touch via E-mail: [email protected].
Davis Community
The Davis Community, a long-term care facility that cares for elderly residents, is currently accepting PPE donations. The Davis Community has two locations, one in Porters Neck and a second off Eastwood Road in Wilmington.
- Masks (N95, surgical and procedure)
- Disinfecting wipes such as Clorox or Sani-cloth wipes
- Hand sanitizer
- Face shields
- Goggles and eye shields
- Isolation or surgical gowns
Donations will be accepted between 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the community’s administrative offices in Porters Neck.
Lower Cape Fear LifeCare
Lower Cape Fear LifeCare announced Wednesday, April 8, that it would accept PPE at several locations. This includes the non-profit’s administrative office in Wilmington, its SECU Hospice House in Bolivia, and its office in Burgaw.
Accepted items include:
- Unused masks rated N95 or higher: 3M Healthcare or NIOSH approved preferred
- Gloves: Nitrile or non-latex preferred
- Impervious gowns: AAMI Level 2
- Unused earloop masks and surgical masks
- Full face shields
- Medical/dental gowns
- Hand sanitizer
- Disinfecting wipes
