Protective Equipment Donated to WHMS

ATKINSON — West Holt Medical Services (WHMS) has recently partnered with local community members and a manufacturing company to meet the need for additional Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

WHMS employees have been following infectious disease protocols for wearing PPE and are being diligent to maintain its supply. However, due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, the need for PPE has greatly increased.

WHMS Foundation Board Member, Karen Nollette wanted to help the hospital and other local healthcare workers by using her sewing skills. Nollette worked with a group of 50 volunteers in Atkinson, O’Neill, Stuart, Lynch, Spencer and Ewing to launder, press, and cut fabric, then sew into gowns, face masks, and caps for Holt County healthcare facilities.

At WHMS alone, more than 350 hand-sewn masks, 60 gowns and 50 caps were donated this past month from Nollette’s team and other local community members.

A group called PPE for NE out of Omaha, Neb. recently donated 150 3D printed face shields to WHMS. Dr. Samantha Sholes, a Family Medicine Physician who will be joining WHMS this fall, was instrumental in making the contact with PPE for NE.

PPE for NE has delivered more than 3,000 face shields to hospitals, clinics and other medical facilities. WHMS is one of 40 locations across Nebraska to receive the face shields from PPE for NE.

The face shields were made by volunteers and 3D printing enthusiasts. According to PPE4NE, it takes an hour to print three face shields. The face shields are reusable and help extend the use of face masks by protecting the entire face of the healthcare worker.

Now with the help of local community members and PPE for NE, WHMS is well prepared to protect its healthcare workers and patients through additional PPE items donated to its facility.

The donated cloth face masks are being used by non-clinical employees at WHMS and they are offered to patients and visitors on the WHMS campus. WHMS has also distributed some of the extra cloth face masks to Atkinson and Stuart businesses to help protect their essential workers.

“We are truly grateful for the outpouring of support as our frontline employees continue to work to stop the spread of COVID-19,” shared Foundation and Marketing Director Jessica Prussa.

WHMS continues to accept hand-sewn masks and gowns, Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at its Therapy Services building located at 406 W Neely St in Atkinson.