While battling Coronavirus, healthcare facilities across the country have faced a common issue– shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE). While researching various organizations that might be willing to make mask contributions, South Central Regional Medical Center employee Allison Evans found a new venture, Mask Match, and was able to procure a good supply of masks from them.
Evans said, “The not for profit organization was formed only a few weeks ago and has been great to work with. Initially, Mask Match secured over 2,000 surgical and K-N95 masks for healthcare workers at South Central, which helped a lot.”
Fox News Network highlighted Mask Match on one of their programs, and the next week featured the new venture’s donation to South Central, interviewing Dr. Teresa Camp-Rogers, chief quality officer at SCRMC.
“Patient and employee safety has always been our top priority at South Central,” stated Camp-Rogers. “We have always been able to secure all of the personal protective equipment we have needed for our employees until the Covid-19 pandemic hit and everything changed.”
“Masks were needed for every patient interaction to keep the patient and staff safe,” she added. “South Central’s Materials Management Department has worked hard to secure every piece of personal protective equipment they could find, but so much was placed on backorder due to healthcare facilities across the nation needing it. With help from a national non-profit organization, Mask Match, our staff has been able to safely treat patients with an adequate supply of masks.”
Due to all healthcare workers at South Central being required to wear masks, and N-95 respirator and surgical masks being on backorder, it has been difficult to find the large number of masks needed to meet the needs of the entire South Central Health System, which employees more than 2,000 people. So, several weeks ago South Central launched a community mask drive to encourage volunteers in the area to make hand-sewn masks.
“Allison Evans and Nikki McCraney, both South Central employees, set up the community mask drive call-in line and reached out to churches, civic groups and private individuals to make masks,” noted Camp-Rogers. “A plastic surgeon on staff at South Central, Dr. Hossein Nasajpour, organized a group at First Baptist Church that made 500 hand-sewn masks in one week. Hundreds of hand-sewn masks from throughout the region and across the country have been sent to South Central for their healthcare team. The hand-sewn masks were key in protecting our team early on in this process, and we can never thank those who participated in the project enough for their efforts.”
On Sunday, April 12, the third-largest tornado in U.S. history hit Covington, Jasper and Jones counties, the region served by South Central. While the relief work began immediately, it was apparent the volunteers and responders did not have the needed face masks to protect themselves from the spread of the Coronavirus.
“Allison reached out to Mask Match again and told them the story about community volunteers and homeowners impacted by the tornado needing masks to prevent the spread of Covid-19, and they sent hundreds more,” explained Camp-Rogers. “South Central worked with local utility companies and community volunteers to take masks out to those in tornado relief areas. More hand sewn masks were donated by area residents to support those in need, and they were also distributed.”
Fifty-seven employees at South Central Regional Medical Center had homes impacted by the tornado, either damaged or destroyed. Most have returned to work, even though some have no home to return to. Joey Sumrall, a registered nurse working in the nursery on South Central’s maternity floor, had major damage to her home and her son’s home, which had just been completed in November of last year, was completely destroyed. In the midst of so much devastation, Sumrall’s three-year-old granddaughter, Leigh Caroline, was seen fixing the curtains in the window of her play kitchen, the only toy she had left after the tornado hit.
“The health and safety of our patients, employees and community are vital,” said Camp-Rogers. “With Mask Match’s support, we are able to safely support our neighbors. South Central is thankful for the support provided by all donors during this time. Without the supplies on hand, it would have been difficult to protect our healthcare team and patients. It is great to know that not for profit organizations like Mask Match are available to help connect individuals and save lives."
Hospitals throughout the country have experienced reduced revenue as a result of elective surgeries and diagnostic tests being postponed, as well as restricted access to medical clinics at a time when more personal protective equipment (PPE) is needed. The cost of supplies has increased. As a result of our governor and the Mississippi State Department of Health announcing Friday that Mississippi hospitals can begin providing elective medical procedures and patient access to services at medical clinics beginning Tuesday, April 28, the need for masks and other PPE will continue to grow. South Central healthcare workers will continue to wear masks and gloves while treating patients in a continued effort to reduce the spread of Covid-19 and keep healthcare workers and patients safe. Patients are also asked to wear masks for their appointments at South Central Clinics.
Those in the community continue to ask how they can support South Central Regional Medical Center. Hand sewn masks are still needed and can be dropped off at South Central Place in Laurel. Even though vendors of PPE supplies are still filling only partial orders, the Materials Management Department at South Central will continue to work hard to secure the supplies needed for the South Central Healthcare system and patients who are treated.