Sheridan Memorial Hospital (SMH) continues to be diligent in ensuring the hospital is fully resourced to take care of the community. The community has reached out in unprecedented ways to offer their help.
“We have received offers from all across the community,” said Mike McCafferty, CEO. “It really is humbling and exciting to see our community come together to take care of one another.”
One of the ways SMH is looking for community help is in production of homemade facemasks and other personal protective equipment (PPE). Because of the COVID-19 outbreak, there is a nationwide shortage of PPE. The community can play a part in helping SMH conserve PPE by donating items beginning Monday, March 30.
“We have seen other hospitals and communities doing this, specifically with homemade facemasks, and we can use these masks for patients to take home with them for additional protection,” Said Dr. John Addlesperger, Chief Medical Officer. “This will help us conserve masks for staff and those patients admitted to the hospital.”
While asking community members to exercise social distancing, SMH has set up a process and drop off location to keep everyone safe.
Drop Off Location
Sheridan Memorial Hospital Downtown Location
61 S. Gould Street – Works Street side of the building (Community Conference Room Door)
Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
A phone number will be listed on signs and Conference Room doors upon arrival to reach SMH staff.
Once contacted, SMH staff will come out to your car for pick-up of the masks.
Details about making and delivering fabric masks
- The pattern and video is the same as being used
in other communities
- Use tightly-wove cotton fabric on both sides, with different fabrics on each side so it is easy to differentiate the inside and outside if removed.
- Collected masks will be washed and sent to SMH Quality Control to be prepared for immediate distribution.
- While we appreciate all contributions, there will be no items accepted on Sheridan Memorial Hospital’s Main Campus to ensure safety of all community members, patients, and staff.
Organizations wanting to donate other brand new PPE such as N95 masks, gowns, nitrile gloves, Tyvek coveralls, goggles, or other eye protection, please feel free to reach out to our Supply team to coordinate these drop-offs at purchasing@sheridanhospital.org.
Other types of PPE may be needed in the coming weeks. If community members would like to be contacted directly, please call the Sheridan Memorial Hospital Foundation at (307) 675-2620 or email jasmineslater@sheridanhospital.org to be added to the list.
How to Make a Face Mask — NOTE: We have found that some masks need to be larger than previous instructions — 4/13/2020 – New sizes below
What you will need:
- Cotton fabric, a colorful print is best.
- Rope Elastic, beading cord elastic will work (you may also us 1/8” flat elastic)
- 4/13/202 Update: Cut the elastic 8 1/2” long and tie a knot at each end (DO NOT knot the ends of the flat)
- Can’t find elastic? If you can’t find elastic to make the ear loops, you can make a mask with fabric ties instead. You can use ready-made 1/4″ twill tape or cut long strips of the same tightly woven cotton fabric you are using for the rest of the mask. Whichever option you choose, you’ll want to cut 4 pieces about 18″ long, and attach one strip to each of the corners.
Be sure any fabric design is placed horizontally:
- Put right sides of cotton fabric together
o 4/13/2020 update — please cut 10″ x 6″ pieces of fabric
- Starting at the center of the bottom edge, sew to the first corner, stop. Sew the elastic with the edge out into the corner. A few stitches forward and back will hold this.
- Sew to the next corner, stop, and bring the other end of the same elastic to the corner and sew a few stitches forward and back.
- Now sew across that top of the mask to the next corner. Again put an elastic with the edge out.
- Sew to the next corner and sew in the other end of the same elastic.
- Sew across the bottom leaving about 1.5” to 2” open. Stop, cut the thread. Turn inside out.
- Pin 3 tucks on each side of the mask. Make sure the tucks are the same direction
- Sew around the edge of the mask twice.
Instructional YouTube Video: How to Make a Surgical Face Mask