Gundersen accepting PPE donations to help keep staff, community safe

With the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), health officials have warned that staff in busy hospitals may see a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE). Gundersen Health System currently has adequate amounts of PPE, but to prepare for a potential surge in patients we are gratefully accepting donations for new, unused supplies.

Items include:

• Face shields
• Digital thermometers
• Eye protection such as safety glasses and goggles
• Hand sanitizer that is at least 60 percent alcohol
• Sanitizing wipes
• Masks including both N95 and surgical masks (any level) *
• Gloves
• Gowns

To donate any of the above and help keep our staff, patients and community as safe as possible, please contact Gundersen Medical Foundation at (608) 775-6600 or gmf@gundersenhealth.org.

*Note: Homemade masks are being accepted if they meet specific criteria. For directions and a pattern, please contact Gundersen Medical Foundation at (608) 775-6600 or gmf@gundersenhealth.org. Mask specifications can be found here (how-to video here). To align needs and supply of PPE, PLEASE call Gundersen Medical Foundation first. This will allow staff to track the number of masks being made and who is making them.

Monetary donations for purchasing equipment and supporting medical research—such as the COVID-19 test our Microbiology Research Lab recently developed—also are being accepted here.