Unused medical supplies

[Libby1987]

I have forever thought that DWB accepted medical supplies but I just checked their website and they don't due to impracticality. I can't find any organization that accepts small scale donations of unused wound, IV and enteral supplies.

In home health we have to discard the unopened supplies ourselves, or rather the patients have to. We can't take anything back but they hate to see the waste and frequently ask to return supplies for donation.

Are there any alternatives? Animal rescue organizations maybe?

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

Your best bet is likely a church. I know mine has regular mission trips to Haiti- and we take donated supplies. either that or we have individual members who might not be able to afford supplies they need, and we try to meet those needs as well.

[Libby1987]

Thanks! I have a friend whose daughter is a nursing student and goes on those types of missionary trips, I'll check with her.

[No Stars In My Eyes]

We have a Community ministry that runs a shelter and soup kitchen, plus a free medical clinic. I have donated excess, un-needed, unopened supplies to them. They can always find someone in need of those things.

There is also a large church which is involved with shipping supplies of ALL kinds to disaster areas, and watching out over other local needs of the people here (food cupboards).

I had a little 90+ y.o. patient who had to give up her cat (to a very good home, btw) and she wanted me to donate her 'leftover' unopened cans of cat food and unused containers of kitty litter. She said there might be some l.o.l. like her who might need and would appreciate the assistance. :) Sweet.