Service organizations, churches, businesses and other groups in the territory have received letters from the LBJ Hospital management soliciting funds to purchase bedding supplies such as pillows, bed sheets and recliners for the territory’s medical facility.
The letter of March 3rd and signed by Chief Executive Officer Taufetee John Faumuina Jr and Dr. Iotamo Saleapaga says the hospital’s Infection Prevention Committee has become very concerned about the increasing cases of resistant infections among patients admitted to the hospital.
The committee has been revising the LBJ’s visitor policy as part of an ongoing strategy to combat the spread of disease and infection within the hospital premises, from healthcare providers to patient, patients to patients and to families and community members.
The letter goes on, patients and family members are accustomed to bringing their own bedding when admitted.
But during interviews with visitors and family members, the general consensus was the lack of bedding supplies at LBJ was the reason for this.
The LBJ management wrote, “We have all seen suitcases, laundry baskets, beddings on the floor, and personal clothing hung in patient rooms. This practice not only causes inconvenience to staff and visitors alike, but also raises concern over the spread of infection to other patients and community members.”
As part of the Infection Control Committee’s quality prevention project, members have decided to solicit funds to purchase much needed bedding supplies such as pillows, bed sheets, and also recliners for the hospital.
According to the CEO and CMO, the aim is to lessen the influx of outside bedding into the hospital rooms for personal use.
They believe this should improve the spread of infection inside the LBJ.
Taufetee and Dr. Saleapaga wrote that due to the financial difficulties LBJ faces, they are humbly asking for donations and support from the organizations for these essential items. They also indicate the amount needed to supply what each ward needs.
Attached with their letter is a list of vendors and items that the hospital needs, the clinics and wards that need them and the dollar value of what’s needed.
The organizations are invited to choose a ward or clinic they wish to donate to or sponsor and the amount they are willing to donate.
The letter says all donations are to be made out to whichever vendor the donor would like to have supply the hospital. And this is strictly between the donor and vendor.
The letter also says the Committee does not handle any of the donations.
The LBJ officials say all we ask is for notification from the donor letting them know which vendor their company is using. And a copy of the order so they can be acknowledged.
They conclude, “we appreciate all and any donations for this Infection Prevention Project for our hospital.”
