staff photo by phyllis zorn

Nurse practitioner Karen Larsen examines a patient while wearing a protective face shield donated to St. Luke Hospital.

Hospitals receive protective gear

St. Luke Hospital in Marion has received 30 face shields and Hillsboro Community Hospital has received 20 as part of a $45,000 gift from Spirit AeroSystems through the Ascension Via Christi health system.

Rural hospitals in Ascension’s three sponsored critical access networks received a total of 900 face shields, helpful in the COVID-19 pandemic.

St. Luke marketing director Roger Schroeder said the shields are ready to be used and a few could have been used already.

The shields cost between $6 and $10 each but must be ordered in quantities of 400 or more, Schroeder said. This has made it difficult for smaller hospitals with reduced revenue to obtain them during the pandemic.

Hillsboro Community Hospital CEO Mark Rooker did not respond to a request for comment.