Here are the items hospitals need most right now, and how you can donate
You can help hospitals. You may have some of these items in your home or business. We have rounded up a list of Philadelphia-area hospitals that are accepting equipment donations, and how you can donate to them.
With medical workers facing a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE), some health organizations are accepting donations of the materials they need to keep staff safe and treat patients during the coronavirus pandemic.
That list of equipment includes items like eye protection, gowns, and face masks and N95 respirators, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
These items are scarce. Health-care workers have begun taking emergency steps to protect themselves, including New Jersey first responders, who were told to purchase painters’ masks as a protective measure, and the Pennsylvania Department of Health, which has reached out to the mining industry for masks. Even the CDC last month issued an advisory that health-care workers could use items like bandannas and scarves in place of more appropriate gear as “crisis response” options. And now, the Washington Post reported, the government’s emergency stockpile of medical equipment is running low amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
But you can help. You may have some of these items in your home or business. We have rounded up a list of Philadelphia-area hospitals that are accepting equipment donations and how you can donate to them.
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia says online that it has “sufficient medical supplies available” for staff, but is “ramping up our conservation efforts” to ensure a future supply. It cannot accept open bottles of hand sanitizer or household cleaning products.
Accepting donations of:
Dry, disposable wipes, preferably on a roll.
Eye protection including face shields and safety goggles.
Gloves, non-latex, all sizes in original carton.
Gowns.
Head and shoe covers.
Homemade masks (adult and child sizes).
Masks, face protection, paper ear loop or tie in original carton (adult and child sizes).
Unopened bottles of household cleaning products.
Unopened bottles of hand sanitizer.
Unopened wipes, bleach, alcohol or hydrogen peroxide.
How you can donate:
Donations can be dropped off from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (Main Lobby), 3401 Civic Center Blvd.
Or you can mail donations to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Attn: Robert Silverstein, PPE Donations, 3401 Civic Center Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa. 19104.
City of Philadelphia
The city’s Office of Emergency Management last month issued a statement that it is accepting PPE donations to aid area health-care providers. Items, the city said, should be unopened and in their original packaging, and homemade items will not be accepted.
Accepting donations of:
N95 respirators/face masks.
Disposable and washable gowns.
Eye protection.
Gloves.
Swabs.
How you can donate:
Individuals able to donate the requested items should fill out a form found at www.phila.gov/ppe-donation.
Cooper University Health Care
Cooper University Health Care indicates online that it is “seeking assistance from companies that have an excess supply” for donations of equipment.
Accepting donations of:
N95 respirator masks.
Disposable surgical masks.
Surgical gowns.
Gloves.
Eye shields.
How you can donate:
To arrange a pickup of supplies for donation, contact Jocelyn O’Neill at oneill-jocelyn@CooperHealth.edu.
Donations can also be dropped off from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, as well as 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Those donating, however, should contact Dwayne Wharton, manager of shipping and receiving, at 856-342-2000, Ext. 100-6071, or wharton-dwayne@cooperhealth.edu to arrange weekday donations, or Pat Amatrudi, distribution supervisor, at 856-342-2000, Ext. 100-9777 or amatrudi-pat@cooperhealth.edu, for weekend donations.
Donations can be made at Cooper University Health Care, 1 Cooper Plaza, Camden. Loading dock is near the One Cooper Plaza parking garage on Benson Street.
Einstein Healthcare Network
Einstein Healthcare Network anticipates the need will "overwhelm existing supplies of personal protective equipment,” and is accepting donations of certain items, according to its website.
Accepting donations of:
N95 respirator masks.
Face masks (with ties or elastic).
Disposable gowns.
Protective glasses /goggles.
Gloves.
Hand sanitizer.
Regular face shields.
Bleach or disinfecting wipes.
Non-contact thermometers.
How you can donate:
Pickups of items for donation can be arranged with the Office of Development by calling 215-456-7200, or materials can be dropped off at Einstein Medical Center Elkins Park/MossRehab (Main Entrance), 60 Township Line Rd. Elkins Park, or Einstein Medical Center Philadelphia (Main Entrance), 5501 Old York Rd.
Additionally, if you want to donate PPE to Einstein Medical Center Montgomery, Einstein asks that you call 484-622-7013 to arrange a pickup or dropoff.
Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania
The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania is partnering with Life Sciences Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, the Pennsylvania Department of Health, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development to generate volunteers and donations of needed supplies to hospitals and health systems throughout the commonwealth. Those with supplies to donate can contact the organization at opportunities@HAPevolve.com, or contact HAPevolve president Joe Tibbs at jtibbs@hapevolve.com for more information.
Accepting donations of:
HAP has provided an extensive list of necessary PPE, hospital supplies, diagnostic supplies, and lab supplies online. The materials listed below are described as the organization’s “most acutely needed” items:
Surgical/procedure masks.
N95/N99 masks (respirators).
Face masks with integrated shield.
PAPRs (powered air-purifying respirators).
Alcohol-based hand rub.
Ventilators, PEEP (positive end-expiratory pressure).
Ventilator circuits.
Hospital gowns.
Endotracheal tubes.
Roche MagNA Pure 96 DNA and Viral NA Small Volume Kits.
Roche MagNa Pure 96 System Fluid and Tips.
Roche MagNa Pure 96 External Lysis Buffer.
Biomerieux NuciSENS EasyMAG extraction system and supplies.
UVT 3ML with flocked flex minitip.
Nasopharyngeal (NP) flocked swabs plus viral transport medium tubes (1 to 3 mL).
How you can donate:
Individuals or organizations who are able to give supplies should contact opportunities@HAPevolve.com to arrange a donation.
Jefferson Health
Donations made to Jefferson Health should be “in their original packaging — unopened and unexpired,” the company says online. If you would like to request acknowledgement for your items, email giftquestions@jefferson.edu with your name, address, phone number, and a description of the materials you donated.
Accepting donations of:
N95 respirator masks (medical grade preferred) or industrial, NIOSH- and FDA-approved.
Hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Surgical grade ear loop face masks (preferred) or tieback face masks.
Masks with face shields.
Goggles (no openings on sides).
How you can donate:
Jefferson Health has several sites where you can donate requested items, all of which are open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday:
Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Blumele Life Sciences Building (loading dock), 233 S. 10th St.
Jefferson Torresdale Hospital, Main Lobby, 10800 Knights Rd.
Abington Hospital — Jefferson Health, Levy Medical Plaza, 1235 Old York Rd. (white tent off of Woodland Road), Abington
Jefferson Health — New Jersey, The Church, 367 Hurffville-Crosskeys Rd., Sewell
Main Line Health
Main Line Health is seeking donations of a variety of equipment, and notes that it has already received a “tremendous outpouring of support from our community.”
Accepting donations of:
Gowns.
Masks.
N95 masks.
Goggles.
Face shields.
Tyvek coveralls.
Surgical gowns.
Isolation gowns.
Gloves.
How you can donate:
Main Line Health asks that those interested in donating supplies contact the company at covidsupplydonations@mlhs.org to arrange donations.
Penn Medicine
Penn Medicine is accepting donations of a number of items, but indicates online that it prefers bulk donations of “one case or more.” It also notes that it will not accept donations of homemade or cloth masks.
Accepting donations of:
Masks, face protection, paper ear loop or tie in original carton.
Gloves, non-latex, all sizes in original carton.
Wipes, bleach, alcohol or hydrogen peroxide.
Bottles of bleach (not splashless).
Hand sanitizers.
Head covers, disposable bouffant type with elastic band.
Shoe covers, disposable.
Eye protection including face shields.
Safety goggles.
Gowns, disposable water resistant cover gowns in original carton.
PAPRs (powered air-purifying respirators) and PAPR hoods.
How you can donate:
Several Penn Medicine locations are accepting donations through the mail or in-person. Mail-in donations can be sent to: Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Attn: Receiving Department, 3400 Spruce St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19104; Pennsylvania Hospital, Attn: Donations, 800 Spruce St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19107; or Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, Attn: Donations, 51 N. 39th St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19104
And drop-offs of materials can be made at:
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce St., security booth outside of the Gates Building entrance on 36th and Spruce Streets.
Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, Loading Dock, 51 N. 39th St.
Pennsylvania Hospital, Main Entrance Welcome Desk, 800 Spruce St.
Penn Medicine Chester County Hospital, Hospital Parking Garage, 701 E. Marshall St., West Chester.
Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health, Clipper Magazine Stadium, 650 N. Prince St., Lancaster.
The Lancaster location has further specialized instructions for donations. Donations can also be made to Penn Medicine Princeton Health, though Penn asks that individuals interested in donating at that location call 609-252-8710 or email PMPH-Foundation@pennmedicine.upenn.edu to make arrangements.
Temple Health
Temple University Hospital, like other area hospitals, is “facing a shortage of Personal Protective Equipment,” according to a statement, and Temple Health asks that those interested in donating items contact it at covid19@tuhs.temple.edu for more information.
Accepting donations of:
Masks.
N95 masks.
Gowns, including surgical and isolation.
Gloves, all sizes.
Goggles.
Face shields.
Tyvek coveralls.
Hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes.
Thermometers.
How you can donate:
In addition to contacting Temple at covid19@tuhs.temple.edu, those interested in donating items can drop materials off at the front desk at the entrance of Temple University Hospital at Broad and Ontario Streets.
Tower Health
Tower Health is asking for donations of equipment from community members and businesses who have extra of the requested items, and notes online that it is not asking that those interested in donating purchase new items just to make a contribution.
Accepting donations of:
Procedural masks.
Surgical masks.
N95 masks.
Goggles.
Latex-free gloves.
Hand sanitizer.
Disinfectant wipes.
Isolation gowns.
How you can donate:
Tower Health has several locations where donations can be dropped off. However, it asks that if you are making a donation, you practice safe social distancing, remain in your vehicle, and pack items in your car’s trunk so that staff can unload it for you. Donation hours at participating locations vary, so be sure to check the website before you go.
Donations can be dropped off at:
Brandywine Hospital, warehouse, 201 Reeceville Rd., Coatesville.
Chestnut Hill Hospital, front entrance, 8835 Germantown Ave.
Jennersville Hospital, loading dock, 1015 W. Baltimore Pike, West Grove.
Phoenixville Hospital, curbside front entrance, 140 Nutt Rd., Phoenixville.
Pottstown Hospital, Outpatient Pavilion Circle, 1600 E. High St., Pottstown.
Reading Hospital, Knitting Mills parking lot (across from the Wawa), Penn Avenue and Park Road, Wyomissing, Pa.
Additionally, those interested in donating at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children (160 E. Erie Ave.) are asked to contact Linda McDonough at 215-427-5340 to coordinate.
Virtua Health System
Virtua Health is “pursuing multiple tactics to ensure we maintain an ample supply” of PPE, including the acceptance of donations of certain supplies. Virtua asks that any donated items be unopened and unused.
Accepting donations of:
Surgical masks.
Isolation masks.
N95 respirator masks.
Nitrile gloves (powder-free, latex-free).
Disposable isolation gowns.
Goggles (OTG).
Face shields.
How you can donate:
Donations can be dropped off at Virtua Health’s Support Services Center, 20 W. Stow Rd., Suite 3, Marlton, which will operate from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call 856-355-0955 to coordinate a dropoff first.
Virtua Health’s corporate office will also accept donations from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. No call ahead of donating is necessary. The office is at 303 Lippincott Dr., Marlton. Dropoff bins are in the lobby.