Spectrum Health Adopts Disinfecting Process to Conserve PPE

Action in response to COVID-19 outbreak

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., April 4, 2020 – Spectrum Health is taking steps to conserve its supply of personal protection equipment (PPE), including N95 masks, by adopting disinfection practices from clinical and research teams across the country.

Aerosolized hydrogen peroxide and heat are being used to disinfect N95 masks between shifts. Goggles, face shields and other hard surface items will be sanitized using ultraviolet light.

To date, the N95 mask use has grown significantly due to COVID-19 and will only increase as the pandemic continues. By implementing these processes, Spectrum Health hopes to preserve its supply of PPE tenfold given national shortages.

“We know we have to help support our clinicians, keeping them safe, so they can care for our patients and our community during this pandemic,” said Kurt Knoth, vice president of supply chain, Spectrum Health. “We formed incredible innovative partnerships, both internally and externally, to help achieve this goal.”

Gentex is one of those partners, donating four ovens which are used for heat disinfection.

Spectrum Health is still accepting medical supply donations. Locations and hours can be found here.

People are at the heart of everything we do, and the inspiration for our legacy of outstanding outcomes, innovation, strong community partnerships, philanthropy and transparency. Corewell Health is a not-for-profit health system that provides health care and coverage with an exceptional team of 60,000+ dedicated people—including more than 11,500 physicians and advanced practice providers and more than 15,000 nurses providing care and services in 21 hospitals, 300+ outpatient locations and several post-acute facilities—and Priority Health, a provider-sponsored health plan serving more than 1.3 million members. Through experience and collaboration, we are reimagining a better, more equitable model of health and wellness. For more information, visit corewellhealth.org.

Contact:
Tim Hawkins
Media Relations
Office: 616.486.6091
Mobile: 616.443.0361
Email: timothy.hawkins@corewellhealth.org

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