Patients at the Guam Memorial Hospital will feel a little bit more cozy, thanks to a donation from Delta Airlines.

The airline yesterday donated 400 quilted duvets and premium full-size pillowcases from its Business Elite flights to the hospital.

GMH Chief Financial Officer Alan Ulrich said the donation was a “tremendous gift” to the hospital.

Helping patients

“Our patients will love to have something like this,” Ulrich said.

GMH Chief of Environmental Services Gordon Mizusawa said the hospital can get very cold, so the duvets will be a great help to keep patients warm.

“This will improve patient care,” Mizusawa said.

The hospital has 169 beds and the Skilled Nursing Unit has 30 beds, and linens are cleaned on average every three days, Mizusawa said. The hospital often has to purchase new linens, so the donation is a big help, he said.

Dr. Felix Cabrera, GMH associate medical director, said one of the things he learned in medical school is it’s important for patients to have a nice blanket.

“Once you place the blanket over them, they feel cozy and feel more at home than they would at the hospital. It’s an important part of patient care and provides comfort they deserve,” he said.

Local support

Daisy Sablan, Delta Airlines station manager for Guam and Saipan, said the company recently changed its duvets and pillows and would have sent all the old ones back, but decided to donate some to the community.

“We wanted to support our local community since it’s where we live and work,” Marie Lizama, Delta Airline sales manager said.