Polk County Health Partners Provide Guidance for Personal Protective Equipment and Homemade Mask Donations (04-01-2020)

(Des Moines, IA) – The Polk County Medical Coordination Center would like to thank our community who has stepped up and donated personal protective equipment (PPE) for our healthcare staff, first responders and care facilities. Our medical community is beyond appreciative of your donations. We are still in need of PPE to protect our medical staff and community and slow the spread of COVID-19.

If you would like to donate PPE including medical masks, face shields, gloves and gowns, please contact Tim Ramsey at tim.ramsey@polkcountyiowa.gov. Face shields can be made with the following:

Vinyl – 16 or 20 gauge marine grade vinyl
Foam – 1 inch by 1 inch (cut down from larger sheets, if necessary)
Elastic – Preference 3/8 to ½ inch (larger might require two staples per side)
Double-sided tape – 1 inch industrial grade mounting tape (Gorilla, Scotch)

The following health systems in the Des Moines Metro are accepting homemade masks. Please follow the IDPH guidelines found here.

Broadlawns Medical Center: We are graciously collecting homemade masks. Please follow the IDPH guidelines listed above. If you have already made masks using another pattern, that's OK, we’ll accept those as well. Kindly enclose completed masks in a zip lock plastic bag or within a closed plastic box. We will launder them prior to use so there is no need to wash the masks prior to delivering them. To coordinate a delivery of masks, please email foundation@broadlawns.org.

Additionally, the Broadlawns Medical Center Foundation has established a Disaster Relief Fund to ensure our doctors, nurses and healthcare workers have the supplies and resources they need to remain at the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. To make a donation, please visit https://www.broadlawns.org/foundation/donate and indicate “Disaster Fund” in the comments. Broadlawns also welcomes donations of catered meals or restaurant gift cards as a way to support our medical staff on the front lines while also supporting local businesses. At this time, we are not accepting homemade food items. Please email foundation@broadlawns.org to coordinate any donation.

The Iowa Clinic: will accept homemade IDPH approved face shields beginning Thursday, April 2, at their West Lakes location (5950 University Ave – West Des Moines). Donations may be dropped off at the main desk at Entrance #3 (east side) Monday-Friday from 11am-1pm.

MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center: Will accept donations of homemade face masks beginning Wednesday, April 1. Donations may be dropped off in blue bins at the main / north entrance of the campus, Monday-Friday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For community members interested in supporting health care workers in other ways, MercyOne Des Moines Foundation has established the COVID-19 Response Fund, https://www.mercyone.org/desmoinesfoundation/give/covid. One hundred percent of funds donated will be used to aid MercyOne medical professionals through efforts such as providing essential medical supplies and acquiring needed equipment; resiliency and mental health resources for physicians, nurses and hospital staff and providing patient financial assistance.

Primary Health Care: has established a fund to support its community health centers through this challenging time. Your contribution will make an impact on the vulnerable and underserved individuals and families living in our communities. PHC patients already encounter many barriers to care and the COVID-19 pandemic has only compounded their burden. Your gift will support the operations of PHC as we navigate this crisis and continue to provide the healthcare and supportive services to our patients. Please donate here: www.phciowa.org/donate

UnityPoint Health: A donation station has been set up inside the parking ramp on Level 4 at the Iowa Methodist Medical Center campus (use the handicap entrance) and will be open Monday-Friday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Questions regarding donations of supplies or PPE should be directed to Kim Wallace at 515-241-6996 or kimberly.wallace@unitypoint.org.

The work of our UnityPoint Health – Des Moines Foundation is critical during times like these. Our relief fund will provide additional resources to our patients, families and further support our physicians, nurses and team members. Donations would be used to buy meals, gift cards, pay for new scrubs and other support as needed. One hundred percent of your gift will be used for these purposes. Please consider making a donation at www.unitypoint.org/DesMoines/covid19fund or drop off your generous donation at our donation station listed below.

For COVID-19 information, please visit the Polk County Health Department’s COVID-19 website.