Norwalk hospital gets influx of supplies to fight COVID-19

NORWALK - Coast Plaza Hospital in Norwalk has received an additional emergency medical field unit, adding to the unit already in place, to expand capacity during the coronavirus pandemic. 

Through its partnership with International Medical Corps, Coast Plaza Hospital and its sister facilities managed by Pipeline Health will use the critical-care equipment to handle the influx of COVID-19 patients. 

The field units, equipment and supplies are provided by International Medical Corps thanks to funding provided by AbbVie and logistical and shipping support provided by FedEx. 

“We are so grateful to the IMC for their generosity, collaboration and ingenuity during this difficult time,” said Patrick Rafferty, CEO of Coast Plaza Hospital. “The supplies that they have provided us with, both directly and through their partnerships, make it possible for us to meet the needs of our community. 

“I am also honored to work with an amazing team here at CPH. Chief Nursing Officer Downapha Britton and Director of Engineering & Operations Kevin Akrey played key roles in making the field unit operational in order to expand capacity and safely care for our patients.” 

In April, as part of its global response to the COVID-19 pandemic, International Medical Corps deployed emergency medical field units, personal protective equipment (PPE) and other medical supplies to four acute-care hospitals in Los Angeles operated by Avanti Hospitals— Coast Plaza Hospital, East Los Angeles Doctors Hospital, Community Hospital of Huntington Park and Memorial Hospital of Gardena—to help meet challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The PPE has helped to ensure that staff are protected and able to care for others, while the field units—which come complete with an HVAC system for cooling and heating—provide extra space to screen incoming patients for COVID symptoms. 

Each month, the organization has continued to send additional supplies, such as pulse oximeters and portable handwashing sinks to keep up with patient and staff needs. 

International Medical Corps delivers emergency medical and related services to those affected by conflict, disaster and disease, no matter where they are, no matter what the conditions. For more information about the organization, go to https://internationalmedicalcorps.org.