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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.

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.

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