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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.

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