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As the coronavirus spreads through Central Missouri, SSM Health St. Mary's hospitals in Jefferson City and Mexico are trying to stock up on in-demand supplies.
The hospitals are now accepting donations of personal protective items and medical supplies, which may be available at consumer retailers, according to a news release. The hospitals are also taking cash donations.
Cash donations are important because of the hospitals' buying power, St. Mary's Hospital Foundation Director Beverly Stafford said.
"We have received so may inquiries," she said. "People just want to help."
Donations will be directed to areas of greatest needs as the health care situation develops, she said. Cash donations allow the health care provider to best serve its patients, staff and community.
For St. Mary's Hospital in Jefferson City, visit stmarysfoundationjcmo.com for more information, or call Stafford at 573-681-3743.
For St. Mary's Hospital in Mexico, visit ssmhealth.com/mid-missouri for more information, or call Darla Taylor, St. Mary's Hospital - Audrain Foundation manager, at 573-582-8368.
The hospitals are accepting alcohol pad wipes; exam gloves; goggles, face shields and safety glasses; hand sanitizer (individual and pump bottles); isopropyl alcohol; N95 medical masks or NIOSH-certified N95 respirators (such as painter's masks); protective isolation gowns; sanitizing/bleach wipes; and thermometers (display digital or forehead models).
Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention doesn't recommend using homemade masks for COVID-19 patients, it does encourage covering the N95 respirators. A beard cover is something that can be homemade and used in this situation.
All donated supplies should be unopened and in their original packaging.
The United Way of Central Missouri is collecting homemade masks, hair covers and beard covers. Help the Helpers is coordinating people who would like to sew these items.
Contact Help the Helpers at [email protected] or its website, helpthehelpers.us.
In Mexico, donations of these items will be accepted at The Help Center, 409 Fairground St. Call 573-581-3238.
Drop-off information for medical supplies at St. Mary's Hospital in Jefferson City, 2505 Mission Drive, is at the Outpatient Entrance from 5 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Contact Stafford at [email protected] or 573-681-3743 to pre-arrange delivery.