Donating unwanted medical supplies

[RunBabyRN]

I do home infusions, and many of my clients end up with extra, unneeded medical supplies and flushes (often heparin sent with PIV or PICC pts). I am often asked if I know of someone who can use them, if I know of a charity, anything like that. The heparin flushes are probably harder to find a home for than the supplies, but I wanted to ask if any of you know where one can donate these supplies? Surely there is something available to accept these usable items.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Some of the physician lead medical missions can accept these supplies in the vein of doctors without borders. There was one that a local hospital sent teams to South America and could accept the intact unopened supplies as they had means to get them to those in need without red tape because of the sponsoring mission's established relationship. Some home health companies setting up infusion teams can use them for training and sometimes nursing schools

[RunBabyRN]

I didn't even think about nursing schools. I should ask one of my old instructors. I know some of the stuff we never covered in lab, but maybe having the equipment will allow for the opportunity.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Even if not to practice for demonstration. I know schools are one of the few places other than missions that can accept supplies from a patient.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

I take them and use them when we do central line/port-a-cath trainings. I know when our hospitals send medical teams overseas they will take them as well.

[Sugarbear55]

I take unopened supplies to my Vet's office. They are very glad to get them as they do a lot of charity work at the local dog/ cat rescue .

[njgrl622]

I do the same as Sugarbear55 - my patients give me their leftover supplies. I usually keep the extra dressing change kits, end caps, extensions, iv start kits, etc... good to keep as back up! But all the saline and heparin flushes are given to my Veterinarian. I've even given him IV tubing and butterfly needles.

[caroladybelle, BSN, RN]

Some mission groups used to take them to medically underserved areas.

Regretably, most of those that I worked with, cannot go to the areas that they served. Between ebola, and groups like the LRA, it is not safe.