n95

Home > Blog

Tag: n95

Safety and Protection | SPH Medical
CategoriesInfection Prevention

Authentic N95 Masks

by sphmedicaladmin

The Future of N95 Masks for Healthcare and the General Public

As SARS-CoV-2 variants continue to spread, first responders, healthcare workers and the general public, especially those at high risk from the virus, need to know that they’ve received the best protection possible against airborne fluid and particle transmission. The majority of medical and research experts agree that cloth masks do nothing more than create a false sense of protection. Three-ply surgical masks, although better than single- or double-layer cloth options, fail to provide a tight enough fit at the sides of the face and doubling these masks with cloth ones still doesn’t protect well enough. Authentic N95 masks are confirmed by NIOSH as a product that offers a certain level of protection from airborne liquid and solid particles.

Which Masks Work Best?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) both agree that N95 medical and non-medical respirator-style masks certified by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) provide the most protection. An authentic NIOSH N95 mask is confirmed by NIOSH as a product that offers a certain level of protection from airborne liquid and solid particles. The “95” guarantees that the N95 mask provides at least 95 percent filtration efficiency.

Yet, alternative suppliers and speculators have been importing masks from both legitimate and illegitimate manufacturers in an attempt to capitalize today on the short-term and long-term safety of our first responders, healthcare workers and the country at large. In an attempt to quickly make money off the need for this critical tool, some sellers have flooded the market with fake N95 masks or turned to price gouging by selling their products for three or more times the industry standard amount for consumer sales.

What Does All of This Mean for the Future?

Although SARS-CoV-2 might eventually become endemic, all experts agree that we can expect new variants to appear over time. Additionally, some populations can’t receive vaccinations and recent hospital surges proved that spread and breakthrough cases in vaccinated populations do also occur with this virus. Every woman, man and child are going to need access to affordable, authentic N95 masks to protect themselves and others. The key words to remember are “affordable” and “authentic.”

Without every person wearing an N95 mask like the Makrite model 9500-N95 or Makrite Sekura-X that qualify as both, we can expect more hospital surges, worsening employment and economic outcomes and a greater loss of life in the future. New trends in the global and national markets also show that the demand for these types of masks is only going to increase as time passes and more people accept mask wearing as a normal part of their daily lives that’s no different than wearing a shirt and shoes in a store or a seatbelt in a motor vehicle. First responders and medical personnel especially will continue to seek authentic NIOSH N95 options rated specifically for medical and surgical settings. They need to know that they’re using masks that give them the most protection and comfort.

High Quality NIOSH N95 Masks

The firm, circular surgical Makrite NIOSH model 9500-N95 is one good choice because it creates a tight seal around all nasal and oral facial openings and supplies a combination of airborne contaminant and microorganism and fluid-splatter protection. Instead of looping over the ears, which can cause a mask to fall off small ears and pain, it features two headbands that securely cup the back of the head. It’s available in a universal size and a smaller 9500-N95S size for a better fit for people with small faces. The fluid-resistant Makrite 910-N95FMX is another highly recommended NIOSH N95 mask option. It also features adjustable head straps. The Makrite 910-N95FMX masks differs from the other model because it features a vertical-and-flat-folded design with a less firm shape that molds to people’s faces better. This model of mask also provides more breathing room for better in-mask airflow so that people feel less restricted when wearing masks.

Why Buy From SPH Medical?

Anything can happen when you buy a product online from an unknown retailer. Dozens of fraud cases occur every day, especially on mass marketplace websites that provide services to a lot of competing sellers.

SPH Medical is an authorized Makrite N95 mask distributor, which means that we guarantee that you always receive the actual authentic product or products you purchase from us. Makrite, a Taiwanese company, also didn’t just set up shop once the pandemic started to create a bigger market for masks. They have been in the business of creating NIOSH-approved health and safety products for nearly 40 years. They receive regular audits from NIOSH on-site at their manufacturing facility to confirm that they’re adhering to the strictest standards. Beyond our authorized Makrite N95 mask distributor status, SPH Medical helps people in a wide range of industries decrease potential infection rates and provide better patient and staff safety options. We’ve been proudly providing these types of services for more than a decade now.

The COVID-19 pandemic has proven that there are few guarantees about what the future might hold for us. That said, SPH Medical can promise that our authentic N95 masks provide you with NIOSH-certified levels of protection while on the job, running errands and visiting with loved ones.

N95 Masks for sale at SPH Medical
CategoriesInfection Prevention

The Importance of N95 Masks

by sphmedicaladmin

Importance of N95 Medical Masks for Healthcare Workers, First Responders, and General Public

The US authorities through the Center for Disease Control, CDC, have recommended using N95 medical masks to offer the highest level of protection against the quickly spreading omicron variant. Initially, the CDC had recommended that the N95 medical masks be used only by medical workers. Still, due to the surge in infections by the omicron variant, the CDC has reversed these guidelines and recommended the use of N95 masks for both fully vaccinated and not fully vaccinated, especially in public places where the rates of transmission of the omicron variant are high. N95 masks differ from surgical masks in that they fit to form a tight seal against the face, and the user is required to pull air through the mask’s filter. Surgical masks are loosely fit, and the user pulls air through both sides of the gap. In addition, N95 masks are designed to keep out respiratory droplets and smaller aerosol particles. The importance of N95 Masks being worn is immeasurable. There are many N95 masks available on the market include a number of different Makrite models that are all NIOSH certified including the model 9500-N95, the Sekura-N95, Sekura-X, and of course the 3M 8210 N95 Respirator.

Why the CDC recommends N95 medical masks for healthcare workers and first responders

The US Food and Drug Administration agency pointed out that surgical masks effectively protect against droplets with large particles but not those transmitted through a cough or sneeze. Respirators such as N95 medical masks effectively protect against the transmission of the virus through cough or sneeze. When an infected person coughs or sneezes, the virus is attached to water and mucus; hence a tight-fitting N95 medical mask covering the nose and mouth will prevent anyone nearby from contracting the virus. For healthcare workers and first responders at the forefront of battling the new omicron variant, N95 medical masks will effectively help protect them from contracting the highly infectious variant. The Makrite model 9500-N95 is NIOSH Certified N95 medical mask popular among healthcare workers that offer protection and comfort. The Makrite model 9500-N95 also has a Surgical Rating, which is an essential item for frontline healthcare workers and first responders.

Why the CDC recommends the use of N95 medical masks for the general public

The new omicron variant is highly transmissible. While most people are getting vaccinated, the process is yet to be completed, and the authorities still advise the general public to mask whether fully vaccinated or otherwise. The CDC has insisted on the general public to mask consistently with a well-fitting medical mask covering the nose and mouth in areas where the transmission rates of the virus are substantial. The CDC recommends the N95 medical masks since they are tight-fitting and prevent droplets from coughs and sneezes from being transmitted from person to person. Masking is mandatory when using public transportation and in transportation hubs such as train stations and airports. N95 medical masks available on the market for the general public include Makrite N95 Mask, NIOSH N95 Mask, and Makrite 910-N95FMX.

Conclusion

N95 medical masks adequately protect the new highly transmissible omicron variant for frontline caregivers, first responders, and the general public. N95 medical masks are comfortable and fit perfectly, covering the mouth and nose while protecting any fluid from a cough or sneeze from entering. The N95 Mask will help protect frontline caregivers from contracting the new highly transmissible omicron variant. In addition, the general public can protect themselves and others from contracting the omicron COVID-19 variant by wearing the well-fitting N95 medical masks consistently in public areas where the transmission rates are likely to be high. The war against the pandemic is a collective responsibility, and consistently wearing effective medical masks such as the N95 Mask will significantly help in reducing transmissions, especially with the discovery of the highly transmissible omicron variant.

Contact SPH Medical today to request N95 masks and other Safety and Safe Patient Handling related products.

Surgical N95 Respirators provided by SPH Medical
CategoriesPatient Handling

The Future of N95 Masks

by sphmedicaladmin

With the appearance of coronavirus disease 19 (also known as COVID-19) in 2019, the public heightened their concern regarding virus transmission via airborne and aerosolized particles. The concern was accompanied by a slew of contradictory discussions on which types of personal protective equipment best safeguard health care practitioners and the world at large against virus exposure. The thought of wearing facial covers at restaurants, grocery stores, and airports seemed weird when state and local governments began enacting mask mandates in the spring of 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many people did not even own a mask, let alone wear one daily. N95 Masks, currently, are now commonplace and ubiquitous just a year later. So much so that customers who previously did not know masks are now well-versed in the finer details of mask function, fit, and style. Details on the function and practicality of the common types of masks segregate them according to how each mask type protects against airborne and aerosolized disease.

The Past, Present, and Future of N95 Masks

Until 2019, masks existed in the medical rooms only. But the emergence of COVID-19 and the mask mandates instituted in 2020 by both state and local governments changed the story. Everyone is fluent in both the basic and additional aspects of masks. Surgical masks, procedural masks, and filtering respirator facemasks are the most popular mask types used in the medical arena. Other than the types of masks, they know about their effectiveness, CDC recommendations, and different fabrics. Some of the finer details include:

  • For optimal effectiveness, masks must cover the mouth and the nose.
  • For optimal efficiency and maximum protection, you should wear a mask with a close fit rather than a relaxed fit.
  • Synthetic materials with loose weaves are less protective than natural fabrics with tight weaves.
  • Understanding the safety of using masks has been achieved where you should discard disposable masks after one use and wash reusable masks in hot water regularly.
  • On CDC recommendations, multiple-layer masks are better than single-layer masks, and they can increase their protection by wearing two masks instead of one.

Understanding and accepting masks is not the same as loving them. Although masks have been absorbed into our everyday routines, we all look forward to the day we can toss the masks away. However, the truth is that masks are almost certainly here to stay. Masks can guard against various hazards, including seasonal colds and flu, allergies, and even pollution, which will outlast and outlive the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mask Standards, Ratings, and Filtration Effectiveness

N95, KN95, FFP1, P2, or surgical mask: what’s the difference? For each mask type, each country has its certification standard. For surgical masks, Europe utilizes the EN 14683 standard, while China uses the YY 0469 standard. Each country’s norm differs slightly, but they are all roughly comparable. China utilizes the KN standard (e.g., KN95) for respirator masks, while the US uses the N standard (e.g., NIOSH N95 Mask).

Single-use face masks are the standard with the least stringent filtration criteria. Surgical masks have more stringent regulations, while respirators have the most stringent. Respirators (research suggests they score higher on fit effectiveness) also have a tighter fit across the face than surgical masks and single-use face masks. The bottom line on mask standards and effectiveness is as follows:

  1. Single-use masks (usually one layer, very thin) are only good at capturing bigger dust particles.
  2. The requirements for catching virus-sized (0.1 microns) particles are greater in surgical mask standards, although there are variations according to the area.
  3. Virus-sized particles are frequently captured by pollution masks (respirators) such as the N95 mask and the new Makrite N95 Mask over 90% of the time.

NIOSH has approved surgical N95 and Makrite N95 Mask respirators as N95 mask, and the FDA has certified them as surgical masks. Medical respirators, healthcare respirators, and surgical N95s are all terms used to describe these products.

Newmarket Trends

The pandemic has changed our lives and how we interact with others in ways that were unimaginable just two years ago. However, since 2020 the topic of Covid and PPE has been so prevalent in our daily contacts. Life and the economy did not cease because of shutdowns and quarantines, restarts, and stops. Certain industries, such as the PPE industry, experienced an economic boom not experienced in many years. Some of the trends that came with the economic boom include:

  • Before the pandemic, the US market for N95 mask was worth hundreds of millions of dollars, and traditional consumers of masks for non-medical uses have multiplied rapidly. They are having trouble obtaining things that they had no problems obtaining before the outbreak.
  • The Makrite model 9500-N95 is the latest in NIOSH N95 Masks technology, offering both protection and comfort with a Surgical Rating for healthcare workers.
  • Due to a shortage of inventories and the opportunity to purchase PPE before COVID, employers have been “stocking up on inventory” for longer than the CDC recommends, as they are terrified of being caught off guard with no supplies again.

Why Is It Important to Work Through an Authorized N95 Mask Distributor?

Unless you already have a commercial relationship with a specific seller, NIOSH suggests that you do a thorough investigation of the company before purchasing masks. This suggestion applies to companies whose devices have been assessed as NIOSH N95 Mask by NIOSH or are part of an FDA Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). Before making a significant transaction with a third-party intermediate company, have your institution’s finance or accounting department check the third-party company’s financial stability to ensure that they can deliver the products as requested. As hospitals and customers look for comfortable and effective fluid-resistant masks, SPH Medical provides options. Of the Makrite NIOSH certified N95 Masks, we supply models 9500-N95, the 9500-N95S, and Sekura-N95.  Our most popular model is the 9500-N95 Surgical Respirator. These are essential items for frontline caregivers and first responders everywhere. SPH Medical is a trusted source and a global distributor for Makrite Industries and Makrite 9500-N95. Makrite is working to improve the fit and comfort of their N95 respirators to continually improve their products. Contact SPH Medical to learn more about the future of N95 masks and Makrite’s industry leading products.

CategoriesPatient Handling

N95 Masks for Maximum Protection

by sphmedicaladmin

N95 Masks for Maximum Protection

When dealing with a respiratory virus like COVID-19, hospitals rely on PPE such as N95 masks and gowns to keep staff members safe. Early on in the coronavirus pandemic, there were critical shortages of this essential gear. In hard-hit places like New York and California, doctors and nurses were crafting PPE out of supplies they had on hand. Even after several months, there are still concerns about shortages with each new wave of the virus.

Breaks in the N95 Mask Supply Chain

A NIOSH N95 mask is an essential piece of protection for medical workers. The N95 gets its name from its ability to filter 95% of airborne particles. When properly fitted, air passes through a filtration material that protects the wearer from exposure.

In the United States, the mask shortage began for several reasons. The 2009 swine flu epidemic depleted the national PPE stockpile. To cut costs, medical centers tend to order supplies as needed rather than holding onto a surplus. These trends meant that hospitals entered the first COVID-19 surge without sufficient PPE resources.

At the same time, manufacturers were not ramping up production, and the federal government did not engage the Defense Production Act for masks. Mask production increased. However, it was not enough to create a comfortable surplus.

Surgical vs. non-Surgical Masks

At the beginning of the pandemic, there was public confusion about masks. Another factor in the NIOSH N95 mask shortage was people outside the medical field purchasing masks for personal use. While the CDC was recommending cloth face coverings, ordinary citizens were donning surgical-grade masks.

The FDA gives a surgical rating to facemasks. Manufacturers design these masks so that they resist fluid splatters during procedures. However, most surgical masks are not respirators. The disposable masks worn by most hospital staff members will allow airborne viruses to travel through gaps at the edges.

When caring for COVID-19 patients, a surgical N95 mask like the Makrite 910-N95FMX offers extra protection. It has both the NIOSH rating as a respirator and the FDA surgical rating. This type of face covering allows medical personnel to treat COVID-19 positive patients with greater confidence.

Choosing the Right N95 Mask

The type of fit is an important difference between a Makrite N95 mask and a standard surgical face covering. A standard, three-ply medical mask protects staff members from bodily fluids, and it protects patients by blocking many of the airborne droplets from the staff. N95 masks create an airtight seal that forces inhaled and exhaled air through a filter. It requires a tight fit to do its job properly.

Medical staff members may need to try several models before they find the perfect fit. The Makrite model 9500-N95 has a traditional shape in two sizes. It comfortably covers the mouth and nose of most people. However, the innovative shape of the Makrite 910-N95FMX may provide a better custom fit for some staff members.

The Future of N95 Masks

The global supply of N95 masks continues to be a concern. As the current pandemic winds down, governments would be wise to resupply their stockpiles of PPE. Hospitals may also want to consider increasing their on-hand supply of masks. When these institutions increase their demands, manufacturers will ramp up production to meet them.

The Importance of Working with an Authorized Distributor

The sudden demand for PPE has led some distributors to seek supplies from foreign manufacturers who may not participate in a rigorous approval and quality-testing process. At SPH Medical, we think that our essential workers are too important to take this chance. We work directly with Makrite, a manufacturing company with 30 years of experience in the field. When a nurse or doctor at your facility wears a model 9500-N95 or another Makrite M95 mask, you can have confidence knowing that they are working with a high-quality product.

If you have questions about your Makrite N95 mask needs, contact SPH Medical today.

Add to cart