Blog

Home
CategoriesInfection Prevention

N95 Masks and PPE for Healthcare

by sphmedicaladmin

Getting the Best N95 Masks and 3-Ply Face Masks for your Medical Facility

With the COVID-19 pandemic still affecting vast parts of the country and the world, there are continued questions about using different types of N95 masks to help stop the spread of the virus. Frontline healthcare workers have been under increasing stress to ensure they have all the personal protective equipment they need to ensure their safety during patient care. While most healthcare workers are used to using surgical masks in specific medical environments, traditional surgical masks do not offer as much protection against this deadly pathogen’s spread.

High-Quality Protective N95 Masks for Medical Use

Most medical offices use a wholesale PPE supplier to get all their protective gear for their staff to ensure they are well prepared to ward off this airborne pathogen. When looking at what the best options are, there are several things to consider.

Based on years of scientific data and healthcare studies, the use of NIOSH certified N95 Mask and 3 Ply Mask face coverings are proven and recognized as significant deterrents to the spread of airborne pathogens. They offer high-quality protection against all airborne diseases, not just COVID-19. These masks have been used for decades, offering medical professionals the highest protection levels for all types of deadly aerosolized pathogens.

For healthcare professionals, frontline workers, and people with high profile exposure to the public, these masks are considered vital and integral for personal protection while at work. NIOSH Certified N95 Mask or medical grade 3 Ply Mask usage has been recognized as a powerful deterrent against such contagions as ebola, avian flu viruses, SARS, plague, and many more pathogens.

Isolation Gowns

For frontline healthcare workers and all workers in the health field, having a full line of PPE can be essential in ensuring they are protected from the particles of COVID-19 infected patients. Science has now proven that COVID-19 has an incubation period where patients can be infected and not know it. Additionally, a significant number of people get infected and never show any symptoms while the virus runs its course. Because of the virus’s asymptomatic aspect, taking extra special precautions can be vital even for people who work even in standard healthcare offices and dental offices.

In the past, nursing staff and doctors treated patients in isolation as highly infectious and therefore donned PPE every time the entered a patients room that was in isolation. Signs outside the door to the patients’ room would indicate whether there were contact precautions or airborne precautions. That is why healthcare professionals are accustomed to wearing isolation gowns. Today the use of isolation gowns has expanded to just about every healthcare worker in a medical facility. They use a disposable or launderable isolation gown to cover their personal clothing to offer better protection against transferring the virus or other pathogens to other patients or other areas within the medical facility. Disposable isolation gowns are a great inexpensive alternative that has long been used in intensive care and in the surgical field. These disposable gowns are easy to use, comfortable, and a vital first-line defense for all types of healthcare workers. The SPM Medical Level I and II Isolation gowns are a great example of an affordable high quality Iso gown that is cost effective and highly protective.

The Electrostatic Sprayer

For professional medical offices, clinics, dental offices, physical therapy offices, nursing homes, and senior assisted living facilities, the use of an electrostatic sprayer has become a powerful frontline defense against COVID-19 spread. These devices can neutralize COVID-19 on all types of surfaces and are the perfect solution for disinfecting topical surfaces without spending hours trying to reach all the surfaces in a room.

The electrostatic sprayer comes in various sizes. They are all mobile and even easily transportable, allowing health care offices and facilities to ensure all of their surfaces and entrances are disinfected rapidly and effectively during and at the end of each day. Disinfecting hospitals and medical facilities using an electrostatic sprayer offers a higher level of disinfection than standard manual methods that would typically involve buckets, rags, and spray bottles. The fine 40-50 micron mist of the Electrostatic sprayer ensures even coverage and the electrostatic technology ensures that the disinfectant spray wraps around the edges and back side of the target surfaces. A total room disinfection can be completed quickly and efficiently at any time to ensure COVID-19 on surfaces are killed.

Selecting a Disinfectant

Choosing an effective disinfectant is a key part of this solution. SPH Medical’s Noroxycdiff has a 2 minute wet dwell time kill of viruses, and spore forming bacteria like Clostridium difficile. Noroxycdiff has an EPA approval and validation to kill 99.9999% of C. diff spores which is the most difficult pathogen to kill in the hospital environment, much more difficult than COVID-19.

Because the demand is high for all PPE supplies, many medical facilities find it challenging shopping around for a consistent wholesale PPE supplier for all their protective gear. Many medical facilities increasingly choose to make bulk buys of the N95 mask and 3 Ply mask face coverings, isolation gown supplies to ensure they have enough.

If you are looking for a consistent source of NIOSH Certified N95 face masks, 3 ply face masks, isolation gown supplies, or an electrostatic sprayer device for your medical or dental facility, SPH Medical is an authorized distributor for Makrite NIOSH certified N95 masks and a wide variety of PPE products. They are a commercial supplier of 3-ply surgical masks, air powered lateral transfer matt, single patient use items, and PPE supplies. They ship directly anywhere in the country and have a full line of COVID-19 disinfection and protective gear solutions for large and small hospitals, surgical centers, medical and dental facilities.

Epidural Chair prevents injuries
CategoriesPatient Handling

Patients Can Feel Safer With The Epidural Positioning Device

by sphmedicaladmin

The Epidural Positioning Device, Positioning Patients Safety

What commonly comes to mind when you hear the word epidural is that someone is giving childbirth, and they need an epidural to help with the pain. For a mother in labor, an epidural provides anesthesia that creates a range of numbness from the patients navel to her upper legs.  This enables the patient to be awake and alert during childbirth, while allowing the patient to feel pressure.  However, labor and delivery rooms are not the only recommended place for epidural procedures. Patients also receive epidural treatment in general surgery and as an outpatient treatment in pain management clinics. Doctors use epidural injections to relieve pain during and after surgery and to manage chronic pain. Although epidurals help with the pain, many patients may refuse them. The primary concern or risk with an epidural is the concern about what could happen if the anesthesiologist does not insert the needle correctly. With the development of the epidural positioning device by an anesthesiologist, patients can feel safer and comfortable when receiving an epidural. The Epidural Chair, as its commonly known, helps keep their body in the proper position and stable during the procedure.

Conditions Normally Treated with Epidurals

Doctors commonly use epidural steroid injections to relieve pain associated with the following:

  • Degenerative disc disease is changes that take place over time as the discs in your spine began to break down. It can affect the surrounding nerves and cause pain.
  • Disc herniation is a condition that occurs when a disk between two vertebrae slips out of place, causing the surrounding nerves to become irritated and create extreme pain.
  • Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis where the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of your bones wears down over time.
  • Radiculopathy is when the pain that travels to other parts of the body radiates from the spine caused by a spinal nerve and roots disease.

What is an epidural chair?

An epidural positioning device is an ergonomic stabilizing stand that can easily be adjusted to a patient’s body to provide them with enough support to keep them from moving during these common medical procedures. Anesthesiologists developed the EPD to position patients properly for correct placement and to reduce risk to caregivers. Before the availability of the epidural positioning device, caregivers had no choice but to position and hold patients manually, putting them at risk of a musculoskeletal disorder or other injuries. Patients were also at risk of falling off the bed or table! As the caregivers held the patients, the anesthesiologist would administer the epidural placement or spinal block and hope the patient did not move. If patients moved during the procedure, they were at risk of injury. Anesthesiologists were also at risk of being the subject of a lawsuit if something went wrong.

Benefits of the EPD:

  • Using an epidural positioner removes strain and injury risk to staff.
  • It allows the patient to be as comfortable as possible while preventing the invasion of their personal space than the traditional way caregivers positioned their patients.
  • The epidural positioner promotes bending of the neck, throat, and back area while keeping the person’s body stable.
  • The patient’s back remains immobile during epidural placement.
  • Reduces the risk of spreading infection throughout the facility.

With the epidural positioning device, caregivers can effectively position patients in operating rooms, labor and delivery suites, and other facilities where doctors perform epidurals and spinal block procedures.

Epidural Positioning Device and Thoracentesis

A more recent function of the EPD is that doctors are using it during thoracentesis procedures. Thoracentesis is the removal of excess fluid that has accumulated in the pleural space between a person’s lungs and the chest wall. The imaging department within the hospital typically sees these patients. A trained sonographer is tasked with positioning the patient and finding the correct intervertebral space to insert the needle. When preparing for the procedure, EPDs allow caregivers to position a patient to keep them stable and comfortable. Caregivers can adjust the machine to help support the patient’s chest, arm, head, and feet.

The epidural positioning device is suitable for operating rooms, labor and delivery suites, pain centers, or anywhere doctors perform epidurals. Because of the ability to adjust the device, it is ideal for patients of all body types and sizes.

EPD the Epidural Positioning Chair
CategoriesPatient Handling

Positioning Patients Safely with The Epidural Positioning Chair

by sphmedicaladmin

Positioning Patients Safely With An Epidural Chair or EPD

Are you tired of straining your back and arms? Do you have frequent musculoskeletal problems from attempting to hold patients in position? It’s time to let the Epidural Positioning Device (EPD) take the load off your neck, back, arms and wrists.

If you’re a nurse, nursing assistant, anesthesia tech, Nurse Manager in Labor and Delivery, or General Surgery this product is indispensable. It provides a secure, stable and comfortable support for patients who need an Epidural, spinal block, lumbar puncture. You might even be in the hospital imaging department holding patients in a similar position during thoracentesis. Imaging departments across the country are discovering that the Epidural Chair or EPD is a comfortable and ideal positioning device to support patients and avoid risk of injury to the ultrasound techs!

What Is an Epidural Positioning Chair?

Well, many think it’s a chair but the patient is really sitting on the bed or table. the EPD provides head, chest, arm and feet support for the patient. The EPD is a stable, portable device you can use every time you need to properly position a patient at bedside when preparing for epidural or spinal block. This occurs in many clinical environments both in and out of the hospital. For example, Epidurals are administered almost once per hour on busy labor and delivery floors. With the increase of total joint replacements we’re seeing even more spinal blocks being administered in peri-operative areas. They’re using the EPD too.

The old way of manually positioning patients is dangerous. Nurses are often asked to hold the patient in position and with heavier patients this presents an even greater risk to the nurse. You have probably tried stacking pillows, asking the patient to lean forward and arch their back. Then pushing a stool over to support their feet. You might even have your patient lean over a bedside table, but more than likely, that table has wheels that don’t lock and you’ve seen a patient more than once almost slip down to the floor! Now who is going to catch that patient? There’s a better way.

Using the Epidural Positioning Chair for Epidurals, Thoracentesis, Spinal Blocks and other pain management Treatments

Nurses, health care managers and health care facilities need a better solution, and the Epidural Positioning Chair provides it. It’s the standard of care used at leading hospitals to position patients for a variety of procedures without causing dangerous falls, sprains or injuries. It gives patients a more private, dignified way to receive a spinal block or other epidural therapy. Best of all, it makes your job as a caregiver safer.

The device is fully adjustable with a six-position armrest and 180-degree adjustable face rest. It’s easy to bring this device into operating rooms, labor and delivery rooms, pain clinics, birthing rooms, imaging departments, and physical therapy clinics. Keeping the EPD disinfected and clean is easy with disposable covers for the face rest.

Benefits of the EPD

  • Keeps patients stable by ensuring proper cervical, thoracic and lumbar flexion for stable alignment.
  • Allows you to position patients in a less intrusive, more private way.
  • Avoids injuries to health care workers.
  • Is wheeled for easy portability anywhere it’s needed.
  • Is fully adjustable to fit any patient.
  • Improves Patient Satisfaction

Thoracentesis has become a regular procedure both before during and after the COVID-19 epidemic. The epidural positioning device makes it easy to manage this predictable and frequent procedure. According to Mark E Brauner, DO Thoracentesis is generally performed with the patient sitting at the edge of the bed and leaning forward with arms resting on a bedside table. Side lying positions are reserved for those patients unable to sit. Our ultrasound techs need a safe work environment as well! The EPD provides safe support for patients who may experience syncope from a vasovagal response during thoracentesis.  Leading Pulmonologists at the City of Hope Medical Center in California are using the EPD for all Thoracentesis procedures.  The Techs and the patients love it too.

Studies on pregnant women receiving an epidural found women felt more comfortable and secure when their health care providers used a positioning device. Patient satisfaction went up substantially when compared to patient satisfaction when the women received treatment without the device.

Keeping our Healthcare Workers Safe

Back Injuries, Strains and other MSD’s are a serious concern among health care workers. According to the Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN), half of all nonfatal occupational injuries experienced by perioperative nurses are musculoskeletal and more than a quarter of these are back injuries.

The average preoperative room is a high-risk area that can cause many injuries to staff:

  • Shoulder, back and lower leg sprains from lifting patients.
  • Trips and falls from cords, wires and slippery floors.
  • Muscle strains from pushing around heavy equipment.
  • Leg and back strain from hours of constant motion.
  • Neck and Back injuries from frequent and predictable lateral transfers.

The EPD addresses many of these issues. It’s no wonder the device has become standard equipment in leading hospitals including Duke University Hospital, John’s Hopkins, Mayo Clinic, Kaiser Hospitals and VA Medical Centers.

This device is a win for everyone, and it will soon become an invaluable member of your L&D, perioperative, or Imaging team.

Please contact SPH Medical for more information or to request a quote.

If you’re ready to improve patient and staff safety this device can make an immediate and positive impact. SPH Medical is a national organization focused on Nursing and frontline caregiver safety.

CategoriesPatient Handling

Solving Lateral Transfers and Positioning Risk in Hospitals

by sphmedicaladmin

What Puts The Nursing Staff At Risk?

While you may think of hospitals as one of the safest places to work, they’re actually one of the most dangerous workplaces for staff members. In fact, an OSHA study revealed that 7 workers for every 100 full-time employees at hospitals were injured on the job. Compare that rate to other private industries, and you’ll discover that hospitals are almost twice as dangerous. The nursing staff of a hospital undergoes a lot of physical exertion throughout the day. From ICUs to ORs, the nursing staff is responsible for lateral transfers of total care patients. It’s not anything out of the ordinary for a nurse to move a patient from a bed to a gurney, to a CT table, to an OR table, and back to a bed.

Most nurses perform this task dozens of times each shift. Throw in the constant need for patient repositioning, boosting, and turning and it becomes very clear why nurses are highly susceptible to repositioning injury and strains. These injuries are referred to as musculoskeletal disorders or MSD’s. These predictable, high frequency tasks are further complicated by heavier patients.

 

The Call For A Better Solution

There has been continued concern about the health of nursing staff around the country as OSHA and the Bureau Of Labor Statistics are notating negative health trends in healthcare workers. In fact, the Association of OR Nurses (AORN) has recently published a set of recommended safety guidelines and a tool kit that includes the use of air powered lateral transfer systems for each surgery patient.  See the slides below from the AORN Toolkit. While the laws may not have caught up to the ongoing injury increases, the healthcare manufacturers have. They’ve developed air powered systems that are fast, comfortable, easy to use, and highly efficient for both caregivers and patients alike.

What Are Air Powered Systems?

Air powered systems are comprised of an inflatable pad, easy-to-use air supply,

power cord, and a hose. The patient is placed on the air powered lateral transfer system. The pump is inserted into the pad. As the pump quickly runs to fill up the pad, it sounds similar to a vacuum cleaner. Once the mattress is pumped up, it’s time to move the patient.

These air powered systems come with straps to hold the patient safely in place during the lateral transfers process. They also come with convenient handles for the caregivers to use when sliding that patient from one surface to another. In most cases, the lifting or pulling weight is reduced to almost 10 percent of the patient’s weight.

With virtually no friction beneath the pad when transferring from surface to surface, moving patients can be done with minimal caregiver exertion.  Reducing exertion reduces risk of injury to nursing staff.   There are a few different brands that offer this system, including SPH Medical, and Hovermatt. Air powered transfer systems can also be easily used for patient repositioning.

The Immediate Benefit Of Air Powered Transfer Systems

Air powered lateral transfer systems provide many notable benefits for both the healthcare worker and the patient. These systems provide a less strenuous way for healthcare workers to transfer patients from one surface to another. This reduces the occurrence of a nursing injury, including a repositioning injury or a chronic low back injury.

With the recent COVID-19 pandemic concerns, more and more healthcare facilities are investing in disposable pads for air powered systems. These pads can be easily thrown out after each use, or reprocessed, reducing risk of cross contamination in between patients and reducing risk of infections hospital wide.

Improve Patient Satisfaction

For patients, these air powered transfer systems provide a more comfortable and safe transfer process. Since the patient is being supported by the inflatable pad instead of a draw sheet, the transfer process feels more supportive and comfortable.  The uncomfortable and typically manual process of being transferred is replaced with a frictionless float to the target surface.  In addition, the safety straps give the patient a feeling of security during the transfer.  Overall patients are happier and staff are safer.  This is a win win for everyone including the hospital.

 

 

CategoriesPatient Handling

Positioning Patients Safely with EPD

by sphmedicaladmin

Keeping Patients Safer and Reducing Injury to Caregivers

When it comes to positioning patients safely and reducing the possibility of injury to caregivers, the medical community has continually adopted new technology. The EPD is no different. Known formally as an epidural positioning device, this medical technology is successful in positioning patients safely for various procedures.

Most popularly used to position a patient for an epidural procedure, the epidural positioning device has provided many benefits for users and caregivers alike. The first and most obvious benefit is that this epidural positioner works to properly position and support a patient for a successful procedure.

Traditionally, the caregiver had to position the patient for this procedure manually. This puts the caregiver at risk for injury or MSD.  The National Institute of Health breaks down the risks of workplace injury to Nurses who work on a Labor and Delivery unit.  One of the known high risk tasks for nurses identified by NIH is assisting with epidural procedures.  The best way to reduce risk of injury is to either modify the task or implement engineering controls so that the risk is removed. The EPD or Epidural Positioning Chair solves these manual handling problems. In addition, manual handling allows for less accurate positioning and more risk for complications during the procedure. Once the benefits of EPD were discovered by nursing staff and patients, its use expanded to support spinal blocks, lumbar puncture, and thoracentesis procedures in the imaging or ultrasound department.

Expanded Use For General Surgery

With the success of the epidural positioner for childbirth assistance, anesthesiologists have utilized this device for different types of spinal blocks. A spinal block is, essentially, spinal anesthesia that is used to numb the spine during certain procedures. The most common procedures for a spinal block include urinary tract, genital, and lower body procedures including total knee replacements.

Since a thoracentesis procedure requires inserting a needle into the pleural space, the EPD is a much-appreciated tool. The patient positioning with this device allows for an open area between the lungs and the chest wall where the surgeon can remove excess fluid to allow the patient to breathe significantly easier.

What Are The Benefits of The Epidural Positioning Device

As you’ve learned, the epidural positioning device has been employed in various types of medical procedures. From starting as a better way to positioning patients safety during an epidural procedure to being employed more recently in thoracentesis procedures, it’s very clear that this medical device offers many benefits for its users.

Manual epidural positioning is typically achieved with a chair and pillows. The caregiver would position the patient’s feet on a chair or stool. They would then place pillows underneath the patient’s upper body as they placed their weight on the pillows.

This isn’t a solid foundation as pillows can easily move out of position, and the height of the chair or stool is likely not ideal for all patients. The epidural positioning device comes with a solid foundation that won’t move. It can easily lock into position and offers adjustable foot platforms so that each patient can be in an ideal position for the procedure.

Eliminates Injury Risk To Caregiver

In Pre-Ops, ORs, and throughout other areas of the hospital, caregivers are manually positioning patients for epidural-like procedures. The typical scenario requires the caregiver to steadily hold a stool, table, and patient with their entire body throughout the procedure. This ensures the patient doesn’t move, resulting in patient injury.

Assisting the patient in holding the ‘mad cat’ flexed spine position puts the caregiver in an unhealthy position. This position can lead to musculoskeletal injuries for caregivers. In fact, hospital ergonomic teams have identified that these static holds, performed on a regular basis, can lead to musculoskeletal disease in caregivers.

Reduces Risk Of Complications

Given the unique, taxing nature of patient positioning during spinal blocks and epidural procedures, there is a high risk of complications. Without a reliable, ergonomic solution, like an epidural positioning device, caregivers are us

ing their own body positioning to hold the patient fast.

The patient, on the other hand, is relying on pillows to hold their positioning. As the pain sets in from the procedure, patients are very likely to move involuntarily. This further increases the risk of the procedure being compromised as the needle is not inserted into the spine’s proper place.

An epidural positioning device provides a solid positioning for patients. This positioning allows the caregiver to rely more on the device than their own body weight to hold the patient in the ideal position for the procedure. Overall, these benefits greatly reduce the risk of complications during epidurals and spinal blocks.

CategoriesPatient Handling

Promoting Staff and Patient Safety with an EPD

by sphmedicaladmin

Patient Safety with an EPD

Invasive procedures involving conscious patients are tricky. It can be difficult for a patient to maintain a static position during this important procedure. A sudden movement from the patient may cause unnecessary pain and discomfort. To reduce the risk of improper epidural placement and to eliminate the manual handling of the patient by the nurse, SPH Medical can improve overall safety and efficiency with an EPD.  One might not see an epidural placement as involving manual patient handling but this common procedure puts nurses and patients at risk every day. The strain of bearing a patient’s weight when holding them in position and applying counter pressure can cause neck shoulder and even back injuries to nursing staff.  Nurses and nursing assistants are twice as likely than other professions to deal with musculoskeletal disorders or MSD’s that keep them out of work.

Improving Epidural Placement

An epidural is a common way for an anesthesiologist to provide pain relief during labor and delivery. The doctor delivers a shot that goes directly into the space near the patient’s spinal cord. In some cases, patients receive a spinal block. In this case, a catheter delivers a regular stream of anesthetic to prevent pain for prolonged labor or surgical procedure.

To ease the procedure for both the doctor and the patient, it is best to have the patient in a position that opens the spinal vertebrae. In the past, staff would accomplish this by laying patients on their sides.

However, it is more effective for patients to sit upright and bent forward with a curved spine. Without the right equipment, holding this position might involve a staff member giving physical support. With an epidural placement device, or EPD, the patient can sit naturally and comfortably through the procedure.

How an EPD Works

When medical staff members are trying to get a patient in the proper position, they might use a surgical tray or bedside table and a footstool. When you are using equipment for a task for which it was not designed, there is an increased risk of tipping and injury.  Also, patients come in different shapes and sizes.  A shorter patient will need a higher footstool and lower bedside table tray to obtain the proper curve of the spine.

An epidural positioner is a safe patient handling device designed specifically to perform this task. The standard model has an adjustable headrest and armrests that support the upper body, and adjustable footrests keep the lower body at the correct angle. Once everything locks into place, the sturdy device handles the weight of the patient. When an anesthesiologist gives an epidural or spinal block, he or she can rest assured that the patient will be still and well-supported during the procedure.

Additional Uses

As more anesthesiology departments began to adopt the use of an epidural positioner, other medical specialists saw potential applications. The same position that aids the placement of an epidural is also helpful during thoracentesis.

Imaging departments often carry out this procedure to treat pleural effusions. When there is liquid in the space between the lungs and chest wall, it makes breathing difficult. Guided by imaging equipment, a medical staff member inserts a hollow needle between the ribs of the patient to relieve the pressure and collect samples.

Once again, this is a procedure where the patient must stay in one position for an extended period. Using the epidural positioner helps separate the patient’s ribs and makes it easier to perform the insertion. The patient can stay in place without discomfort or requiring support from the staff.

Safety for Both Staff and Patients

At SPH Medical, we specialize in solutions that improve patient care and reduce risk of injury to both the patient and the caregiver. Procedures like an epidural or thoracentesis are more efficient and less stressful for patients when they are properly positioned.  Safe patient handling procedures prevent unnecessary staff injuries and lost time. For institutions, this leads to an overall reduction in frequency and severity of MSD’s to a very skilled workforce, our nurses.  Investing in Safe Patient Handling provides a well documented return on investment for everyone.  Having access to the proper assistive equipment means improved patient outcomes, and lower costs for the hospital.

CategoriesInfection Prevention

SPH Medical N95 Masks

by sphmedicaladmin

Patients Flooding Healthcare Facilities

The healthcare industry has long been using the N95 Masks as an effective measure to protect frontline workers and first responders from illness. With the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, there are more patients flooding healthcare facilities. In addition, businesses in other industries like manufacturing are ordering large quantities of masks to protect their staff members.

Overall, the demand for the NIOSH 95 mask has drastically increased. Unfortunately, mask manufacturers are unable to keep up with the instantaneous skyrocketing demand. This has resulted in an overall shortage of N95 Masks. Many professionals are finding that they have to stretch the use of their mask well beyond its point of disposal until new shipments arrive.

Are All N95 Masks The Same?

The CDC recommends the N95 to protect people in the healthcare industry from airborne particles infected with the coronavirus. This type of personal protective equipment comes in many different styles, sizes, and ratings.

Our most popular selling N95 respirator, the Makrite Model 9500-N95, is a go-to essential for all healthcare workers. This individual respirator holds a NIOSH certification, which is a must-have certification according to OSHA for healthcare workers.

What Is A NIOSH Certification?

Any Makrite N95 Mask that holds a NIOSH certification has been successfully evaluated by the National Institute For Occupational Safety And Health (NIOSH) to be effective at protecting users against harmful airborne particles. All NIOSH certified masks meet the minimum requirements set forth in Title 42, Section 84 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

The Makrite 910-N95FMX is the newest in surgical respirator technology. It’s both a NIOSH N95 respirator and hasbeen given a surgical rating by the FDA. This mask is proven effective at providing fluid resistance, airborne particle resistance, and is comfortable for the wearer.

What Is A Surgical Rating?

Apart from receiving a NIOSH rating, a mask can receive a Surgical Rating. This rating is granted by the FDA after the mask is proven to effectively protect the user in a surgical environment. The main attributes of a surgical mask is they are both fluid and fire-resistant.

The fit test is designed to ensure that workers are able to appropriately wear their mask so that it effectively filters the air they breathe. OSHA recommends a fit test for each staff member upon employment and annually. The fit test helps to identify what specific style and size mask best fits the user.

What is a Fit Test?

During a fit test, the seal between the mask and the user’s face is evaluated. Each fit test takes about 15 to 20 minutes to complete. A qualitative fit test is performed with respirators like the mask where only the nose and mouth are covered. The tester will use one of the four substances accepted by OSHA to detect any leakage in the mask’s seal. These four substances include:

  • Saccharin (results in a sweet taste)
  • Bitrex (results in a bitter taste)
  • Irritant Smoke (causes coughing)
  • Isoamyl Acetate (smells like bananas)

If the testee experiences any one of the results above caused by the testing substance, then they fail the fit test with the specific mask they’re wearing. The testee will need to undergo the fit test again with a different style or size N95 mask. Once the testee passes the fit test, they’ll be able to successfully wear that mask in the field with success.

The Future Of N95 Masks

As you know, the Makrite N95 Mask has been in high demand. Many healthcare workers are currently experiencing major shortages in their mask supplies. This shortage has forced many to reuse their disposable masks for days on end. Currently, the nation’s leading mask suppliers have been enacting plans to boost mask production.

Right now, it seems that mask manufacturers just need more time to beef up their production efforts to meet the ongoing global demand. To ensure your frontline workers’ safety, you must work with distributors like SPH Medical who are a direct link to the mask manufacturers. This relationship will help to get your healthcare facility quality masks when they become first available.

SPH Medical Wholesale PPE
CategoriesInfection Prevention

Wholesale PPE Supplier to Healthcare and Industry

by sphmedicaladmin

SPH Medical: A Trusted Wholesale PPE Supplier for Healthcare and Industrial Applications

Since 2012, SPH Medical, a southern California based wholesale PPE Supplier, has been considered a national leader when it comes to providing the most advanced and effective solutions for reducing rates of infection, improving staff and patient safety, reducing injuries and improving the outcomes of patient care across the United States healthcare system. SPH Medical has been consistently delivering advanced ergonomic solutions, training, risk consulting services, high quality products, as well as providing evidence based clinical solutions for a variety of industries and applications.

Safety for Everyone

Viruses and bacteria can survive on surfaces for a long period of time. In fact, Clostridium Difficile has been documented to survive on surfaces for up to 6 months. In light of the current Covid-19 pandemic, safety precautions and CDC (centers for disease control and prevention) guidelines should be thoroughly followed and implemented to ensure safety for everyone, especially for the frontline caregivers and medical personnel. As a wholesale PPE supplier (Personal Protective equipment), SPH Medical provides a reliable, safe and secure way to purchase trusted high quality and performance PPE at a reduced cost. The PPE provided by SPH Medical is critical not only for patient safety, but also for keeping medical staff, technicians, nurses, doctors, schools, businesses and many others safe with the goal of minimizing risk of infection or injury.

Examples of the trusted and reliable personal protective equipment items that SPH Medical provides include the N95 masks, isolation gowns, 3 ply masks, electrostatic sprayer, as well as the highly effective disinfectant Noroxycdiff and Penetrexx Antimicrobial surface protectant. The N95 masks that SPH Medical provides, which are approved by the national institute for occupational safety and health (NIOSH), offer 95 percent filtration efficiency against airborne particles and can be used by healthcare professionals in case of an emergency. SPH Medical offers two NIOSH Certified N95 Masks that are FDA approved Surgical Mask. The N95 Surgical Masks are the Model 9500-N95 and the 910-N95FMX. The disposable surgical 3 ply masks offered by SPH Medical provide three layers of protection against viruses and bacteria and are considered ideal for healthcare, food processing, pharmacy, hospital and industrial protection applications.

Isolation Gowns

In addition to protective N95 masks, SPH Medical also offers isolation gowns that provide medical personnel, as well as their patients, protection against any sort of infectious materials, as well as protection against exposure to blood and body fluids. The isolation gowns feature rugged construction, ultrasonic seams, knitted cuff and a set in sleeve.

Another PPE item worth mentioning is the electrostatic sprayer. The electrostatic sprayer offered by SPH Medical is a self contained compact sprayer, often seen as a backpack sprayer, but is also offered as a portable device that featureSPH-XT-3s wheels and a handle for a more convenient portability.  The Electrostatic Sprayer is ideal for thorough daily disinfection and antimicrobial surface protectant applications in interior spaces, public areas, and retail areas and is compatible with any SPH Medical water-based disinfectant or antimicrobial spray.   The XT3 professional sprayer features a pressurized stainless steel tank, as well as twine-line hoses for air and liquid.  This sprayer is perfect for clinics, hospitals, medical and dental offices, as well as businesses and schools.

In addition to the above, SPH Medical also offers effective and efficient disinfectant solutions Noroxycdiff and Aquaox. Noroxycdiff is a disinfectant cleaner that is used in hospitals and businesses for killing pathogens. Noroxycdiff is EPA approved to kill C. Diff (Clostridium Difficile) spores in two minutes. The advantages of this disinfectant is that it is non-corrosive, does not need to be washed after being applied to surfaces and is considered to be cheaper than other alternatives. Also, it is not necessary for medical staff to wear protective equipment when utilizing it.

Penetrexx Antimicrobial is a surface protectant that offers a thirty to ninety day defense against microbes on hard surfaces.  Penetrexx creates a protective barrier that reduces risk of cross contamination on high touch and at risk surfaces.   It is environmentally friendly non-toxic and non-leaching.  Although many facilities have a disinfection strategy they are often missing this important 3rd step of Protection!   This product promotes lower ATP scores and is ideal for fighting microbial growth between disinfection and cleanings.

As an experienced and trusted wholesale PPE supplier, SPH Medical continues to play a critical role nationwide providing infection prevention solutions and the equipment necessary to ensure public safety during and after this Covid-19 pandemic.

Contact SPH Medical today to Get a Quote.

 

CategoriesPatient Handling

Solving Lateral Transfer and Positioning Risk in Hospitals

by sphmedicaladmin

Solving Lateral Transfer and Positioning Risk in Hospitals

A Lateral transfer and patient repositioning are typical tasks of nursing staff around the globe. In fact, it’s estimated by the American Nursing Association that the average nurse moves around 1.8 tons during a full eight-hour shift. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this immense amount of movement has resulted in medical professionals being at a 31.1 percent increased risk of musculoskeletal disorders.

The Federal Government has noted the increased workplace harm that those in the medical industry undergo due to lateral transfer and repositioning injury. In 2015, the national government passed new legislation regarding patient handling in the form of the Nurse and Health Care Worker Protection Act. This Act is geared towards shifting healthcare facilities into creating a safer workplace environment for caregivers.

The Biggest Problems With Lateral Transfers

A traditional lateral transfer is performed hundreds of times a day throughout all hospital departments, including ICU, imaging, emergency, surgery, and other medical units. Total care patients are unable to move their body weight from one surface to another. This situation results in the nursing staff physically moving the patient.

This move is performed in one of two ways. With the first method, the nursing staff grabs ahold of a sheet that is positioned underneath the patient. All staff members lift up on the draw sheet and physically lift the patient to another surface. In cases where fewer staff members are present, nurses use a plastic board and pull the draw sheet underneath the patient onto the other surface.

Both of these methods require a great deal of movement and strength from the nursing staff. This typically results in nursing injury in the form of back pain. With so many medical staffers undergoing musculoskeletal injuries, it has become clear that manual patient handling tasks need to be replaced with more efficient methods.

The Introduction of Air Powered Transfer Equipment

In recent years, companies like hovermatt and others have introduced air powered transfer technology. These transfer systems use a thin cushion of air under a mattress that is inflated. This system works to reduce friction and provides a floating action during patient lateral transfer.

These air powered transfer systems can be easily used for both lateral patient transfers and patient repositioning, also known as boosting a patient. The inflatable mattress transfer systems are intended to be left underneath the patient during their hospital stay.

A Look At The Many Benefits Of Air Powered Systems

It’s a wide concern of any medical facility to properly protect the long-term health of their staff. Lateral transfers and patient repositioning are well-known issues that create chronic health problems for medical staff members. Air powered systems have provided a quality solution that allows less manual labor on the part of a hospital’s medical staff. This works to reduce the overall risk of chronic injuries to caregivers.

When it comes to patients, air powered systems are providing a more comfortable and safer experience. Instead of being forcefully heaved from one surface to another under the manual power of medical staff, patients can be easily floated from one surface to the next. This makes the transferring and repositioning experience much smoother for patients.

In addition, air powered systems don’t require the patient to be lifted off of any surface. Rather, the inflatable mattress can be smoothly pulled from one surface to the next.  This makes the lateral transfer experience much safer for the patient as there is less risk of bumps, bruises, or manual handling during transfers.

Air powered systems are tremendously changing the way that medical staffers perform repositioning and lateral transfers throughout their day. These systems drastically reduce the amount of strain that is placed on the nursing staff. From a patients perspective, they provide a safer and more comfortable experience for patients.

CategoriesInfection Prevention

The Shortage of the N95 Mask Supply

by sphmedicaladmin

Shortages of Medical Supplies, Including the N95 Mask Supply

The pandemic has brought a lot of changes to the healthcare industry. From increased patient loads to shortages of medical supplies, many uncertainties are going into the future. One very specific medical supply that has got a lot of press lately is the N95 Mask supply.

The CDC has recommended this particular mask as an effective protective measure against the novel coronavirus. For this reason, the demand for the N95 Mask has skyrocketed in the healthcare, industrial, manufacturing, and general business industries. As with any sort of change in the level of demand, there are always people looking to capitalize. Unfortunately, this is wreaking havoc on the healthcare industry.

Having A Trusted Distributor Is More Important Than Ever Before

As the demand for these masks increases, more companies are trying to create distribution contracts with medical, industrial, manufacturing, and other business customers. Regrettably, not all of these distributors have the best interests of the end-users in mind. Many facilities don’t check to verify the legitimacy of these masks from unreputable distributors.

SPH Medical has been working with Makrite Industries, a company producing NIOSH N95 Masks and other similar products, for over 30 years. We are a legitimate global distributor that works directly with our supplier to bring healthcare, industrial, and manufacturing companies quality masks. Currently, the Makrite N95 Mask is our most popular selling respirator.

The Makrite Model 9500-N95 Respirator

The Makrite model 9500-N95 respirator is a vital piece of safety equipment for healthcare workers and other essential workers across the world. This mask has been in shortage since the coronavirus pandemic showed up earlier this year. Many suppliers have created and instituted scaling plans to produce more masks at higher production rates than ever before.

Unfortunately, this scaling takes time to implement. What was once thought of as a disposal mask that was to be thrown away after each patient interaction has become an all-day form of protection. Many healthcare facilities are still facing major shortages that require their staff members to use the same disposal mask for multiple patients. Some have been even instructed to keep using the mask until it’s visibly dirty or broken.

No Defense Production Act Order

As the COVID-19 pandemic was hitting record numbers, President Trump utilized the Defense Production Act to remedy the nation’s shortage of ventilators. This Defense Production Act allows the President to order companies to manufacture products that are in short supply. The pre-pandemic ventilator manufacturers shared their trade secrets with these new manufacturers in an effort to enhance the supply of ventilators.

Since the Defense Production Act worked to eliminate the shortage of ventilators, many believe it should be used to remedy the NIOSH N95 Mask supply shortage. However, so far, President Trump has not enacted the Act. Rather, his party has overseen the scaling up of major mask manufacturers. As of right now, it doesn’t look like President Trump will be enacting the Defense Production Act for the production of N95 masks.

The Makrite 910-N95FMX Respirator

The Makrite 910-N95FMX respirator is the newest innovation in the Makrite N95 Mask technology. This mask provides an excellent level of both protection and comfort for its wearer. Sealed with a Surgical Rating, the 910-N95FMX is a must-have for healthcare professional and frontline workers.

NIOSH certification requires that a mask undergo specific tests to ensure it conforms to the NIOSH standards outlined. Nelson Labs performs a variety of precertification tests, including valve leak, inhalation/exhalation, Dioctyl Phthalate (DOP), and Sodium Chloride Aerosol Challenge (NaCl) testing. NIOSH reviews these test results and provides the NIOSH N95 mask certification upon the mask meeting proper testing measures.

The Food And Drug Administration (FDA) is the agency that certifies a particular mask for surgical use. Masks cleared by the FDA show that they demonstrate flame resistance and an adequate level of fluid resistance. Both of these are considered highly important in the healthcare industry and in surgical settings.

N95 Mask Supply Summary

The future of the adequate amount of quality N95 mask supply is still uncertain for the general public and the healthcare industry. It’s now more important than ever before to be careful when selecting your mask distributor as many new distributors with less than quality products are trying to capitalize on this health crisis. SPH Medical is a trustworthy distributor who works directly with the Makrite manufacturer to ensure that healthcare professionals only receive quality N95 masks.

Add to cart