TACOMA, Wash. – MultiCare Health System is grateful for the generous response from the community in making and donating face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic. This critical donation of face masks, which began last month, as well as the donated time and talent from the community to make them, are keeping our health care providers, patients and entire community safe.

So far, MultiCare has distributed over 500 kits with more than 32 masks in each kit. Masks will be used for patients entering clinics and hospitals and for staff at behavioral health facilities and clinics — both of which saves N95s and other personal protective equipment (PPE) for higher risk areas.

“We began receiving completed masks last Friday and expect that, in total, 4,000 to 5,000 masks will be delivered throughout this week,” says Fran Waller, Executive Director of Volunteer Services. “We currently have 600 more kits ready to distribute and we will also be receiving 30,000 comfort strips for controlled air purifying respirators (CAPRs) throughout the next week.”

To date, MultiCare has had volunteers sew more than 30,000 masks and create and sterilize more than 20,000 comfort strips for CAPRs.

Medical-grade masks

Following a request for support sent out to its pool of 3,000 dedicated volunteers, MultiCare received an overwhelming response of support and now has an established group of 500 volunteers who are sewing masks using a medical-grade blue wrap material MultiCare provided to them. These masks are approved to be worn by health care providers when providing patient care in hospitals and clinics, as they have a high-filtration rating, allowing very few particles to pass through the fabric.

Cloth masks

In response to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recent recommendation for all citizens to wear face masks when out in public, MultiCare is welcoming cloth mask donations from the community, in an effort to reduce the risk of transmission. Though cloth masks do not have the necessary filtration rating for health care providers to wear when providing patient care, they do serve a function to protect our staff members during their off-work time so they can stay healthy and keep returning to their essential work. Cloth masks are also provided to homebound COVID-19 positive patients and their household contacts, to reduce the risk of further transmission.

If you are willing to make and donate cloth masks, we thank you. Please note the following instructions:

1. Use a mask pattern that includes a type of wire (e.g., pipe cleaner) so the mask can be fitted over the nose.
2. If possible, use a high-density fabric such as quilters cotton or a woven fabric like batik. This will allow for a better filtration rate.
3. Do not create masks that use rubber bands for the ear loops. The rubber bands can cause irritation and skin breakdown.

Mask delivery

Please deliver your homemade masks to one of the following locations between 11pm-2pm, Monday-Friday. A Volunteer Services staff member will standby to gladly receive your donations.

• MultiCare Auburn Medical Center: Distribution Center
  Address: 94 1st St NE, Auburn, WA 98002
• MultiCare Covington Medical Center: Distribution Center
  Address: 17700 SE 272nd St, Covington, 98042
• MultiCare Deaconess Hospital
  Address: 800 West 5th Ave, Spokane, WA 99204
• MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital: Distribution Center
  Address: 1421 3rd St SE, Puyallup, WA 98372
• MultiCare Tacoma General, Mary Bridge Children’s & Allenmore Hospitals
  Address: 402 South J St, Tacoma, Washington 98405
• MultiCare Valley Hospital
  Address: 12606 E Mission Ave, Spokane Valley, WA 99216

Speaking to the generosity MultiCare has seen over the past week weeks, President and CEO Bill Robertson says, “I would like to acknowledge this critical community partnership and thank the numerous volunteers who have come together and donated time and resources to this effort. Your donations have gone a long way in helping to keep our community safe, and we are so appreciative of your thoughtfulness and care for others.”