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CategoriesInfection Prevention

N95 Mask Fit for Protection

by sphmedicaladmin

Practicing Social Distancing and Wearing Face Masks

Dr. Anthony S. Fauci acknowledges that without practicing social distancing and wearing face masks, the coronavirus’s spread would be worse than it is. Dr. Fauci is the Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). For healthcare workers, the face mask that provides them with the best protection is the Makrite model 9500-N95. SPH Medical is your authorized supplier of the N95 mask.

As of October 12, 2020, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 7,740,934 Coronavirus cases in the United States and 214,108 confirmed deaths due to the virus. These numbers echo what Dr. Anthony Fauci and other medical experts are telling us, and that is, “we are not out of the woods yet.” Dr. Fauci spoke those words during a virtual event at the American Urological Association on June 27, 2020.

When people take safety precautions, it helps them and the people around them. Although the number of infections is high, wearing face masks may have helped prevent 60 million infections. A face mask alone is said to be able to reduce the transmission of the virus by 85 percent.

NIOSH N95 Mask

Makrite, a global supplier of NIOSH certified N95 masks, has a portfolio of over 40 mask options and 30 years of experience in the industry. Single-layer dust masks offer little protection against microscopic particles traveling through the air, like the germs spread by people coughing or sneezing. The N95 mask is the respirator that has proven to be effective and meets the approval of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The NIOSH N95 mask can filter particles of 0.3 microns and have a 95 percent efficiency rating.

Because of their relatively low price, effectiveness, and comfort, the Makrite N95 Masks are standard in many industries. They have even become a popular and effective way to prevent the spread of germs among the public. If you are a first responder, medical professional, or work in construction, you may be required to wear a mask. The most effective type of mask is one that is fit-tested and and is a single-use N95 NIOSH certified respirator.

The model 9500-N95 has also become popular with healthcare workers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended wearing masks to protect medical workers who work in close contact with patients diagnosed with the flu and other airborne viruses. The continuous spread of the coronavirus and the upcoming flu season make having a supply of the Makrite N95 Mask even more critical.

Characteristics of the Mask

The filters on the N95 masks are at least 95 percent effective. Whatever type of face mask you choose, it must be one with low breathing resistance, offer a secure fit, and be comfortable for the wearer.

A one-way exhalation valve is not required for the mask to be effective, but many people who wear the mask prefer to have it. In humid and hot working conditions, the valve provides lower exhalation resistance. Although exhalation valves are not ideal to prevent viral spread for obvious reasons there are many masks with valves that are available.

The nosepiece and head straps to the mask play an essential role in the mask’s comfort and effectiveness. An N95 mask must fit snug on the wearer’s face to be fully effective. Wearers must be careful that facial hair such as beards does not interfere with the mask’s fit. The Makrite model 910-N95FMX is a duckbill style mask that offers adjustable head straps and a surgical rating that make it ideal for healthcare workers.

N95 masks are available in several shapes and styles. Cone-shaped masks flanged at the edge seal differently on the wearer’s face. As long as you can properly seal the mask, that mask’s shape is the user’s preference.

Various manufacturers are providing different types of masks. To ensure you are getting an authentic Makrite N95 mask, you should order them from an authorized distributor like SPH Medical. We have one of the largest supplies of available Certified NIOSH N95 Masks.

SPH Medical is an authorized distributor of the Makrite N95 Mask and the complete catalog of Makrite products. In this time of counterfeit masks, expired products, and overpriced lots of PPE its good to work with a company you can trust.

Contact SPH Medical today to discuss your specific needs and establish an ongoing supply of N95 Masks.

CategoriesInfection Prevention

SPH Medical and Makrite Impacting the N95 Mask Shortage

by sphmedicaladmin

Makrite Impacting the N95 Mask Shortage

At the beginning of 2020 there was a N95 mask shortage, the N95 mask cost about $1 each, and medical professionals disposed of them after each patient visit. With just over three months remaining in 2020, masks have quintupled in price, and top government agencies have recommendations for “extended” or “optimized” use.

Nearly three-quarters of more than 20,000 nurses surveyed reuse respirators, according to the Washington Post. Some nurses claim to use a NIOSH N95 mask for months. Hospitals attempt to disinfect reused masks when necessary with UV light or hydrogen peroxide. Companies like Technology Solutions Group (TSG) provide N95 mask disinfection and tracking solutions to prolong the masks’ effectiveness.

The FDA reported that many hospitals made PPE orders based on previous usage and not future need. In part, hospitals used this practice based on the assumption that the U.S. stockpile could help during emergencies. In 2009, however, the H1N1 flu epidemic severely depleted the NIOSH N95 mask stockpile. The government failed to replenish the stockpile, according to the Washington Post.

CDC and FDA Recommendations

The CDC and FDA made “extended” and “optimized” recommendations instead of the White House creating a coherent national plan. According to NPR, the White House contends that manufacturing 160 million masks per month will quench the need. Public health officials claim the U.S. will be hundreds of millions of masks short of the 3.5 billion masks needed this year.
N95 Demand

With the COVID-19 vaccine, a distant hope, and more than 200,000 deaths in the United States, the global shortage of N95s forced NIOSH, the CDC, and the FDA to push the limits on N95s and other PPE.

Historic wildfires on the West Coast amplified the need for N95s, according to a recent Forbes column. Cloth masks, while effective against COVID-19, are of little use filtering wildfire smoke. N95s effectively filter the microscopic particles of wildfire smoke, but the supply doesn’t match the demand.

The White House opted for a big-firm focus with masks, leaving out small- and mid-sized manufacturers. Despite their expertise and size, 3M and Honeywell can’t meet the current need for N95s by themselves.
FDA-Approved Options

To meet the need, the CDC and FDA approved Chinese-made KN95s along with other measures. U.S. hospitals that tried the KN95s found the fit insufficient and discontinued use.

NIOSH Certified Respirators and the N95 Mask Shortage

Makrite has an entire catalog of NIOSH certified respirators that includes the model 9500-N95, which is FDA approved as a surgical respirator. This Makrite N95 mask presents a high-quality replacement for 3M and Honeywell masks and many hospitals have been using this N95 Mask prior to COOVID. As the most extensive, private-brand manufacturer of face masks and disposable respirators, Makrite boasts more than 40 NIOSH approved safety products.
Meltblown Shortage

Meltblown Fabric at 100x magnification

Engineers designed the N95 mask as single-use. N95s filter at least 95% of airborne particles while forming a seal around the nose and mouth. Polypropylene fibers, roughly 1/50th the size of a human hair, make up the meltblown textile that creates an electrostatic web to attract particles.

The Associated Press reported that a lack of meltblown textile is holding up the N95 production process. Some U.S. manufacturers continue to export meltblown textile despite the shortage.

Manufacturers refuse to ramp production of meltblown textile because the White House refuses to guarantee purchase once the need subsides. After the H1N1 virus outbreak, some companies experienced bankruptcy and laid off employees because of a glut of supply without demand.
Defense Production Act

According to the Washington Post, the AMA, AHA, American Nurses Association, AFL-CIO requested the Defense Production Act’s broader use. The DPA uses presidential power over funding for the production and distribution of critical supplies in a crisis.

While the U.S. did force the ramp-up of ventilator production early in the pandemic, it never involved itself with PPE production. As a result, companies must balance current needs with future needs and their organization’s financial health.

U.S. Manufactures Face Shields

Some U.S. manufacturers took the initiative early in the pandemic by making face shields, which require much less production than N95 masks. NPR reported companies left with a glut of face shields amidst an N95 shortage.
SPH Medical and Makrite Filling the Gaps

The quality and prolific Makrite N95 mask manufacturing coupled with SPH Medical’s reliable supply chain expertise means N95 relief is on the way. The combination of Makrite and SPH Medical equals more model 9500-N95 delivery to hospitals, frontline caregivers, and others in need. SPH Medical is also working with TSG to explore validated mask disinfection for its customers.

SPH Medical Makrite N95 Mask
CategoriesInfection Prevention

More Help for the Frontlines as Makrite Partners with SPH Medical

by sphmedicaladmin

More Help for the Frontlines as Makrite Partners with SPH Medical

The news is rarely good when it comes to the novel coronavirus. Case rates surge, and deaths continue to mount. As the world struggles to cope, there is some good news. Now, the world’s health care workers have more access to the safety equipment they need. This is because Makrite is working in tandem with SPH Medical to improve the distribution of the Makrite N95 mask to frontline workers.

Before the novel coronavirus, the idea of wearing a mask was reserved for suspenseful movies and operating rooms. However, when the virus finally landed on American shores, the upheaval was immediate. Initially, experts advised against mask-wearing, but that advice was aimed at preserving supplies for medical professionals. As time went on, those recommendations changed, but everyday users were encouraged to wear disposable or handmade masks. The coveted N95 mask was ultimately deemed off-limits for general usage.

The reason for this was simple. A NIOSH N95 mask is more effective at protecting people from the spread of the virus. When worn properly, a model 9500-N95 can block out 95 percent of virus particles. With this level of protection, it is no wonder that they are prioritized for the medical community.

Even with restrictions, the need quickly outpaced the country’s supply. America had 17 million masks in a national stockpile, but many of those masks were too old to use. Moreover, American hospitals were slow to realize the threat in earnest. This lack of preparation cost them and their patients.

Production of the N95 Masks

Production of the N95 masks including the Makrite model 9500-N95 mask was not sufficient at this time. Prior to the pandemic, 3M shipped 30 million masks each month. This was nowhere near enough to meet the sudden spike of demand. Shortages and rationing followed, and such masks have been nearly inaccessible outside of hospitals. Masks were out of stock at major retailers, and many products were cost-prohibitive. In short, there were few ways to successfully procure a N95 mask.

This all unfolded at the start of the pandemic. Six months later, the country is still in the grip of the novel coronavirus. As debates rage about the best way to approach the pandemic, the supply options for a NIOSH N95 mask have also come to a head.

Manufacturing has increased consistently over the course of the pandemic. Revenue is expected to skyrocket by 23 percent over the next five years. 3M, after its rocky start, will likely put out 2 billion masks in 2020 alone. Honeywell is poised to make 250 million masks per year.

Best of all, Makrite’s partnership with SPH Medical ensures there are better supply options for a Makrite N95 mask. This increased production and distribution can satiate ongoing demand while reducing pressure on the supply chain. Makrite is one of the largest global N95 Mask manufacturers, and SPH Medical is a trusted and reliable supplier.

Masks are Becoming more Available

This is just one sign of growing stability within the market. After months of uncertainty, masks are becoming more available. Moreover, the prices have started to stabilize. While consumers can still expect to pay a premium for quality medical-grade N95 masks, they are finally more affordable. The most telling sign that things are changing in the supply chain is that these masks are no longer restricted. Now, businesses and people outside of hospitals are able to purchase these masks for their personal safety.

While this is good news for the general public, it is especially positive for workers in health care. With Makrite’s distribution capacity via SPH Medical, these critical frontline workers can be confident that they will have the supplies they need to stay safe and keep working.

SPH Medical EPD 4
CategoriesInfection Prevention,  Patient Handling

The EPD and Air Transfer System Improve Patient and Staff Safety

by sphmedicaladmin

SPH Medical is Improving Safety for Hospital Staff and Patients

SPH Medical is here to improve patient staff safety in labor and delivery and surgical units with the Epidural Positioning Device and the air transfer system.

COVID-19 is putting our healthcare workers at risk. Manually handling patients under normal conditions is known to put our nurses, doctors, and other healthcare workers at risk. Now more than ever hospital staff need to have the right tools to help move, support, lift and transfer patients. The EPD and air powered lateral transfer system improve patient and staff safety especially during this time of heightened concern about infection prevention.

SPH Medical Provides Safe Patient Handling Solutions to Healthcare Facilities

SPH Medical provides Safe Patient Handling solutions to healthcare facilities which means that we protect our frontline caregivers by preventing infection and injuries.

Within Hospitals nurses are being asked to care for patients infected with Cov-Sars2 and other deadly viral and bacterial infections. In order to deal with these deadly infections the Infection Control Nurse within the hospital mandates that single patient use devices are used where possible to lift move and transfer patients. Single patient use items are essentially disposable items that are patient specific, which means that they don’t get used with other patients. The outside laundry system generally isn’t trusted with returning specialized items or hospital owned items back to the hospital so then hospital is forced to use “disposable” items where possible to minimize the risk of infection to other patients. At times this can seem costly, but the risk and cost of hospital acquired infections and and nursing injuries is well with the investment.

How Does this Relate to One of the Most Important Departments in the Hospital?

The Labor and Delivery department is where new mothers give birth to their children in what should be safe and infection free environment.

A large percentage of mothers are continuing to get cesarean section procedures (cite sources and %) even in today’s COVID-19 environment.

With the c-section procedure comes several high-frequency patient handling tasks that Put our nurses and doctors at risk every day, lateral transfers to the OB OR table and patient positioning during the epidural injection procedure.

First the Epidural. Positioning the patient in the proper position for the injection puts our nurses at risk of injury. (See other blog posts we’ve written). We solve this my by making the patient comfortable and eliminating the static holding by the nurse with the Epidural Positioning Device.

Once the patient has received the epidural successfully and the are ready to be moved to the OB OR for the C-section procedure that staff have to plan how to move the patient on and off the table safely. Keep in mind the patient can’t scoot across to the table. They can’t feel their lower half! The staff need to use a assistive tool to transfer the patient safely on and off the OR table. What solutions are available to accomplish this?

Lateral Transfer Devices Available on the Market

There are a variety of lateral transfer devices available on the market to help transfer patients safely to and from beds, gurneys, OR tables, and Imaging Tables.

There are simple Friction Reducing Devices such as slide sheets (“easy slide disposable“ from SPH Medical) Available in many styles: flat sheets with handles, tube style sheets, there are lateral transfer boards made out of plastic also called slider boards – these are not ideal as they don’t significantly reduce friction to safe levels, there are roller boards like the Rollerslide by SPH Medical which act like a conveyer belt moving with the patient. Finally the gold standard of lateral transfer solutions is the air powered lateral transfer system which floats the patient on a comfortable layer of air between the two surfaces. This   makes the transfer process not only more comfortable for the patient but also eliminates risk of injury to the nursing and hospital staff performing the transfer. You can find a well documented clinical evaluation on Friction Reducing Devices here by Andrea Baptiste, MA, CIE, Sruthi V. Boda, MS, Audrey L. Nelson, PhD, RN, FAAN, John D. Lloyd, PhD, MErgS, CPE, and William E. Lee, III, PhD.

All Employees Should be Wearing the Appropriate Fluid Rated N95 Respirators

All employees should be wearing the appropriate fluid rated N95 respirators like the Makrite 9500-N95 which is FDA 510K approved for use as a surgical mask.

Summary

The EPD and air powered transfer system improve patient and staff safety. SPH Medical provides a total solution to reduce risks of infection and injury to our frontline caregivers in Labor and Delivery and throughout the hospital. This is not limited to Labor and Delivery departments. We are addressing similar risks throughout the entire hospital and continuum of care helping to create new standards for safety and protection of our healthcare workers. This is not about obesity and COVID. This is about caring for every patient and every nurse to improve patient outcomes and reduce risks of Infection and injury related to MSD’s and high-risk, high-frequency patient care tasks.

Please contact SPH Medical to learn more about improving safety in Labor and Delivery with air transfer systems and the EPD. To learn more about the Makrite N95 Mask options including the 9500-N95 and the SEKURA-N95.

CategoriesInfection Prevention,  Patient Handling

Makrite N95 Surgical Mask protects Nurses and Doctors

by sphmedicaladmin

The Vital Importance of Using N95 Masks in the Battle Against Covid-19 and Where to Get Them

For people on the front line in the healthcare battle against Covid-19 and this global pandemic, personal safety is a big concern. While most medical professionals love their job, the virus has brought a different level of fear into the field of medicine.  The Makrite N95 Mask is making a difference.

The Difficulty of Being a Medical Professional During the Coronavirus Pandemic

COVID 19 VirusWhether you are a doctor, nurse, physician assistant, or nurses-aid, being in the medical field during a deadly pandemic is highly stressful. In addition to having concerns over providing the best in medical diagnostics and care, the pandemic puts healthcare workers at high risk for catching the virus. This is one of the most challenging concerns for healthcare workers who are often stressed with excessive work hours, exhaustion, and emotional stressors from caring for the very ill.

In hotspots, the risk of catching the Coronavirus is much higher than in areas where the cases have stabilized. That is why it is essential for people in the healthcare industry to be continuously alert to changes in the virus case levels in their area.

The Best Frontline Protection Against Covid-19

There are several important things that front line healthcare workers can do to significantly reduce their risk of catching the virus. The use of personal protective equipment, also known as PPE and the use of disinfectants and continuous hand washing or sanitizing them, is vital to helping frontline healthcare workers remain safe while at work.

The Surprising Challenges of the Pandemic

Since approximately 40 percent of people who have the virus are asymptomatic, healthcare workers have to be very diligent, not to assume that because someone is not displaying symptoms means they are virus-free. Healthcare workers need to be careful to protect themselves on and off the job and follow all recommended guidelines when they are off work in their personal lives. This should include wearing a face mask and following all social distancing guidelines.

The Importance of Using N95 Masks at Work

makrite n95 surgical maskBecause this Coronavirus is spread through droplets and is now known to be aerosolized, the use of face shields and N95 face masks and coverings while at work are essential tools in frontline defense against the virus.

Unlike cloth face masks, an N95 respirator mask is specially designed to block up to 95% of all, dust, bacteria, and virus air particles. This bacterial filtration makes the Makrite N95 Mask mask a vital tool in the battle of the Coronavirus for frontline healthcare workers because they are exposed to infected and potentially-infected people for many hours a day.

N95 Mask Pandemic Supplies

Before the current Coronavirus pandemic, availability for N95 type respirator face masks was sufficient for the need. These masks are traditionally used in the medical, construction, and industrial industries. However, because the global demand for these masks has skyrocketed since February, the supply has been insufficient to meet the rising demand. Since so many of these masks have been made outside of America, the country has found itself competing for global supplies.

One of the premier N95 respirator mask designs is the 3M 1860 surgical mask. This is the most common N95 respirator used in the medical industry. However, with dwindling supplies available, many medical health facilities have been caught off guard trying to find a comparable replacement.

The good news is the Makrite 9500-N95 is a top of the line NIOSH Certified N95 Respirator that is FDA Cleared for use as a Surgical Mask. The Makrite N95 Mask is is a high-quality replacement for the 3M 1860 (that no one can seem to find anywhere). That means that the Makrite 9500-N95 NIOSH Certified N95 surgical mask is specially designed for use in the medical field to prevent the spread of aerosolized particles that may cause disease and infection, such as the new strain of coronavirus known as SARS-CoV-2. Receiving the approval from the FDA for use as a surgical mask means that it is tested for fluid resistance which is important in this era of aerosolized SARS-CoV-2 particles.

N95 Respirator Mask Medical Facility Distribution

SPH Medical B1 In Action - Schools 3In the ongoing battle against the Coronavirus, many hospitals and medical facilities have significant concerns about locating a reliable supplier for medical-grade N95 respirators. Facilities who choose Makrite for their respirators want to ensure they can have continuous access to Makrite 9500-N95 top of the line NIOSH Certified N95 surgical mask supplies directly from a factory distributor.

If you are looking for an authorized distributor for the Makrite N95 Mask NIOSH Certified and FDA cleared as a surgical mask, SPH Medical is a trusted supplier that can ensure a continuous supply for your medical facility. SPH Medical sources its’ supplies directly from the manufacturer. For medical facilities, dental providers, fire, police, and other healthcare providers in need of a smaller medical-grade respirator, SPH is also a supplier for the smaller N95 respirator, the Makrite 9500-N95S that is an excellent replacement for the 3M 1860S which 3M manufactures.

Fit Testing

Which mask is right for your employees?  Not everyone has the same facial morphology so naturally one mask doesn’t really fit all. This is one of the reasons that the small size 9500-N95S was developed. Learn more about Fit Testing from OSHA here.

SPH Medical also is an excellent source for other essential PPE such as Isolation Gowns, 3-ply masks, Nitrile Gloves, hand sanitizer, and single patient use Air Powered lateral transfer pads, slings, and repositioning sheets. For nearly a decade, SPH has been a widely recognized supplier of infection prevention, safety solutions, and PPE to America’s medical facilities.   Please contact SPH Medical to learn more about the Makrite N95 Mask.

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