Community donations provide protective equipment to residents at the Villa at Suffield Meadows and Fauquier Health Rehabilitation & Nursing Center

In response to questions about how members of the community can assist in the region’s novel coronavirus (COVID-19) response, Fauquier Health has been accepting public donations of unused and handmade medical and protective supplies and equipment. This move is part of Fauquier Health’s ongoing efforts to address the COVID-19 pandemic and prepare for increased needs of personal protective equipment (PPE), which healthcare providers across the nation are experiencing.

One of the growing concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic is how we can ensure and maintain the safety of our senior residents who are staying at the Villa at Suffield Meadows, off Rt. 29, and the Fauquier Health Rehabilitation & Nursing Center (FHRNC), on hospital hill. Katy Reeves, Administrator of FHRNC, requested to supply her residents with a supply of hand sewn face masks that were graciously donated by the public. Her request for the masks was triggered by guidance from the CDC on preventing the spread of COVID-19 in long-term care facilities.  The recommendation was to ensure residents wear cloth face coverings when outside of their rooms or when around others. According to Katy, “FHRNC has been very pro-active about initiating strategies to keep our residents as protected as possible. Being able to access supplies that had been donated and vetted as meeting standards was great!”

In addition to FHRNC, a supply of hand sewn masks were sent to the Villa at Suffield Meadows. The masks have a variety of patterns and were wildly popular with the residents. The differing patterns provided residents with a fun opportunity to choose a preferred pattern, while ultimately promoting health safety. For example, we witnessed a resident who loves cats chose a mask that had cats on one side and dog bones on the other. According to Sarah Pearson, Administrator of the Villa, “The residents at the Villa at Suffield Meadows have worn their masks proudly throughout the community and want to do their part to stop the spread of the virus. The residents enjoyed being able to choose from a variety of fun patterns and types of masks. There has been such an outpouring response from the community and makes us feel supported.”

At Fauquier Health, we are so thankful for all of the community’s support during this time of need. We have received PPE donations from Greenville Elementary, the Fauquier County School Board, Fauquier County Parks and Recreation, Habitat for Humanity, Fauquier Masks, local churches, Oak Spring Garden Foundation, Wolfrom & Co., Virginia Systems & Technology, Aerotog, Kenmore Envelope Company, Masks4Humanity and many, many more. To all of those who have donated, we say thank you on behalf of the entire Fauquier Health system. For those still interested in donating, the hospital can accept the following unused medical and protective supplies and equipment:

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Masks- N95, Isolation and Surgical
• Surgical & Scrub Caps
• Headbands with buttons and ear guards
• Hand Sanitizer
• Gloves (latex-free)
• Protective eyewear, faceguards and face shields
• Touchless thermometers- infrared and temporal
• Pulse oximeters

All donations must be in original, unopened containers/boxes at this time to maintain infection control standards. In addition to the list above, Fauquier Health is accepting donations of homemade (hand sewn and 3D printed) masks, surgical/scrub caps and headbands/ear guards.  Any donated homemade masks will be evaluated before distribution to clinicians or patients. All homemade masks, caps and headbands must be delivered in sealed plastic storage bags.

For more information, you can visit our COVID-19 Preparedness page at FauquierHealth.org. Donations may be dropped off at Fauquier Hospital loading dock, located at 500 Hospital Drive, Warrenton in the rear of the hospital.  Donations are being accepted 9:00am – 3:00pm Monday through Friday. Questions from community members may be directed to 540-316-2843 (CVID).

About Fauquier Health

Fauquier Health is a community health system dedicated to high-quality, patient-centered care in a unique environment that considers the multiple facets of healing and respects the individuality of each and every patient. Located at 500 Hospital Drive in Warrenton, Virginia, Fauquier Health serves the residents of Fauquier and several surrounding counties. It comprises: Fauquier Hospital, a fully-accredited, 97-bed hospital; Fauquier Health Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, a 113-bed long-term care and rehabilitation facility; the Villa at Suffield Meadows, an assisted living facility; the Wound Health Center and a medically supervised Wellness Center offering health and wellness programs.  Fauquier Health also operates nine physician’s offices, including primary care and specialties. More information on Fauquier Health is available online at FauquierHealth.org or by calling 540-316-5000.