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Pardee, EMS issue calls for protective gear donations

In preparation for an increase in patients related to COVID-19, Pardee UNC Health and the Henderson County emergency services have issued a call for much-needed medical supplies to help protect their health care workers.

 

“The risk in caring for patients with COVID-19 for our health care workers is thought to be acceptable, but only with adequate personal protective equipment,” said Dr. David Ellis, Pardee's chief medical officer. “Pardee currently has adequate supply, but like so many health care systems, we anticipate that will likely not be the case in the coming weeks.” Pardee notes that their materials management and emergency preparedness teams took swift action early on to secure orders and source supplies, resulting in currently adequate levels.

Pardee is conserving key supplies and is prepared to play a significant role in our community’s response to COVID-19 but recognizes that a prolonged period of care will be challenging without additional medical supplies – currently in short supply throughout the country. “Community support will help Pardee extend our ability to provide care,” said Ellis, “particularly as our hospital starts to see an influx of critically ill patients affected by coronavirus.”
Many generous individuals, nonprofits, private companies and others have already reached out to offer support. Currently, the biggest need is additional Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and sanitizing and disinfecting supplies. Pardee recently received a donation of N95 masks from Stand T.A.L.L.

“We are extremely grateful to Ron Kauffman and Stand T.A.L.L.,” Ellis said. “I have no doubt that there are other businesses and organizations in our community with supplies that could be beneficial in the coming weeks.”
Pardee UNC Health will consider any of the following items for donation:

Personal Protective Equipment includes:
• Surgical masks
• N95 masks
• Goggles or safety glasses
• Face shields
• Gowns/ suits
• Gloves
• Shoe covers

Sanitation/ Disinfection:
• Lysol/ other disinfectant spray
• Clorox wipes
• Hand sanitizer

Donations can be dropped off at the Pardee Hospital Foundation building located at 561 Fleming Street in Hendersonville. Please call ahead at 828-233-2700 so that staff can arrange for effective social-distancing measures when retrieving your donation.

Henderson County Emergency Services is also requesting donations of personal protective equipment and medical and sanitizing/disinfection supplies. The request is to get ahead of the possibility of the increase in COVID-19 cases, the county said in a news release. Mud Creek Baptist Church at 403 Rutledge Drive will be holding donation drop-offs beginning Saturday, March 28 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Please follow the signage to the Carpenter’s Hands Ministry Warehouse.

Necessary items (new unused packages) are as follows:

· Surgical masks
· N95 masks
· Googles or safety glasses
· Face shields
· Gowns/suits
· Gloves
· Shoe covers
· Lysol/other disinfectant sprays
· Disinfectant wipes
· Hand sanitizer

Do not bring food, clothing or other items not requested. If you have a bulk donation, please contact the Emergency Operations Center at 828-697-4728. The drive will continue at Mud Creek Baptist Church from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays and Saturdays until further notice.