n95 respirators

Home > Blog

Tag: n95 respirators

SPH Medical Delivers Surgical N95 Respirators
CategoriesInfection Prevention

N95 Respirators for Healthcare

by sphmedicaladmin

The world has been in transition since the spread of the Coronavirus, also known as Covid-19. The year 2020 marked a shift in societal standards, behavior, interactions, and almost a total disruption in how the average person views infection prevention. Less than two years later, we are still being reminded by the CDC and healthcare leaders that mask use contributes to individual personal safety and offers significant defense against the spread of the virus. With the rise in Covid-19 delta variant infections and deaths resulting from the virus, the simple recommendation to wear a face mask has now become a recurring theme.  Additionally the need for healthcare facilities to use disposable N95 respirators surgical rated masks has continued to remain steady.  All of this demand has lured many entrepreneurs and start ups into the business of selling masks.

Healthcare facilities like to work with suppliers that they trust and tend to work with those companies that have a history of performance.  Understanding that patient care is their number one priority they choose their business partners carefully.

Rather than working with third party brokers and fly-by-night operations, the healthcare sector requires a legitimate source to establish a direct relationship for the supply of NIOSH Certified N95 of masks.

SPH Medical lifts the burden of determining legitimacy as they are an Authorized Distributor for Makrite.  Makrite is a global leader in mask manufacturing with more than 30 years of experience.  SPH Medical receives product directly from Makrite delivering multiple N95 Mask options to hospitals, industrial customers, and the rest of the world.

The increased use of N95 Masks in the healthcare sector and by the general public has increased the demand for improvements in comfort, fit, and performance.  Makrite is on the cutting edge of this trend and is actively working on research and development of new and improved models.  Makrite is listening to customers and getting direct feedback to continually improve their products.

The Future of N95s

The reliance on N95s for protection from airborne and aerosolized particle virus transmissions has gone up through Covid-19 waves.

Before the norm of wearing face masks, often only medical professionals would typically use a surgical rated N95 respirator.

Today, with the slow impact of vaccines, the surgical rated N95 respirators are a tool for personal security against infection.  In the future we see a variety of new Surgical rated N95 Respirators in the product development pipeline that will be available for Healthcare customers and the general public.

Unfortunately, the massive spike in demand for protection from the virus resulted in a shortage of masks throughout the world.  Manufacturers were caught off guard by this new global demand.  Raw material shortages and supply chain issues were additional factors that contributed to massive price increases for this essential personal protective equipment.  With the manufacturing and supply of NIOSH certified N95 Masks hanging delicately in the balance, the next big question could be: What is the future of N95s?

Despite safety in mind, comfort and effectiveness have surfaced as other equally important issues with face masks.

Having one on all day in a busy environment could keep you safe, but can we all bear it? Day by day, people loosen their needs for safety over the whelming desire for comfort and a break from everything.

Effectiveness has also come up in different ways. Materials used in the manufacture of various mask models could determine their effectiveness.

A mask’s design and layering could also determine its ideal use (some are too thin to capture virus-sized particles, while others, such as the N95s, are well-specialized).

Surgical Rating for an N95 Respirators

Medical professionals are among the frontline caregivers/responders. While various masks could serve optimal purposes, Makrite models of N95s have proven trustworthy and effective.

Every frontline responder deserves high-level protection from airborne and aerosolized particle virus transmissions.

Therefore, different mask types acquire certification standards for their uses; every country, with its own (the USA’s being N, thus the N95 Masks).

An N95’s surgical rating establishes a standard for its use among healthcare professionals and other frontline caregivers.

New Market Trends

The medical industry has undergone a paradigm shift in the new trends resulting from the Covid-19 virus. Before its spread in late 2019 and throughout 2020, there was no insistence or global demand for personal protective equipment, otherwise known as PPE.

The changes in this climate of virus prevention have led to unimaginable changes.

While many businesses have closed down, others have reaped some benefits from the looming fears and the societal inclination towards extensive protection and enhancements on safety measures.

The PPE industry, for instance, has witnessed an increased dependence on PPE for protection from infection.

One of the notable trends is the daily and global use of masks for non-medical use. Considering different mask types, the demand for more effective and comfortable models shoots higher by the day.

Along with non-medical use is the increased sensitivity of the medical environment; this has made masks necessary and mandatory at all times in such environments and when providing services.

The Makrite model 9500-N95 Respirator is a step up to surgical masks, providing comfort and efficiency. It leads the market in the infusion of NIOSH N95 Mask technology for reliable protection.

Other models increasing in popularity are the comfort fit Makrite Sekura-N95.  The Makrite Sekura-N95 was recently resubmitted to NIOSH for surgical approval and received approval under the new name Sekura-X.

The Makrite model 9500 N95 Respirators

The Makrite N95 Mask is certified and meets the N95 NIOSH standards.

Makrite mask users will enjoy protection from solid particles, among other substances, which may include but are not limited to iron ore, coal, minerals, and flour; their design and fabric also make them comfortable and effective in protection from Covid-19 airborne transmissions.

Today, the Makrite 9500-N95 and Makrite Sekura-N95 are industry leaders in the world of NIOSH certified N95 Masks.

Makrite’s Industry Experience

Makrite’s time in the industry has seen the development of a broad portfolio of protective masks that it delivers to countries across the globe.

The demand for more of the Makrite N95 Mask through the two years of Covid-19 infections and spread has resulted in improved models suitable for medical environments and for general, non-medical uses.

The Importance of an Authorized Distributor Like SPH Medical

The demand for personal protective equipment became a reality as the Covid-19 pandemic began and and this disease continues to impact the way we go about our daily lives.  N95 respirators are crucial for maximum personal protection.

Acquiring them for a healthcare institution or large numbers of individuals who require protection demands trust and authenticity.

Healthcare products that provide protection such as N95 Masks and Nitrile Exam Gloves are critical for all healthcare workers. Therefore, authorized distributors of healthcare products, such as these, and including Chemo Tested Nitrile Exam Gloves, must have a history of performance.  SPH Medical has an unmatched track record of supplying hospitals and healthcare systems with essential Safe Patient Handling solutions and safety supplies.  SPH Medical is an authorized distributor of N95 respirators and Nitrile Exam Gloves.

The value of working with SPH Medical is the direct access to distribution of masks and essential supplies without the need for a third party.  Thirty years of manufacturing experience puts Makrite ahead of other manufacturers with demonstrated quality and reliability.

N95 Masks for Maximum Protection
CategoriesInfection Prevention

Cal OSHA New ETS for N95 Respirators

by sphmedicaladmin

On June 17th, Cal OSHA issued an updated COVID-19 Prevention ETS (Emergency Temporary Standards) requiring employers in California to provide N95 Masks for employees that are unvaccinated. The following topics are discussed in the updated ETS. As a result of the updated ETS we are seeing an immediate increase in demand for NIOSH Approved N95 Respirators.

Summary of June 17th ETS.

  • Physical Distancing – This is being phased out along with barriers.
  • N95 Respirators for employees – Employer must provide access to N95 mask for unvaccinated employees
  • Face Coverings – Face Coverings are still required for unvaccinated employees
  • Vaccines – Employers must document vaccination status of employees
  • Testing – Must be offered at no charge to Employees
  • Outbreaks – More protective measures will be required if an Outbreak occurs
  • Enforcement – Employers should implement the June 17th ETS as soon as possible to avoid being cited

Here are the highlights of the ETS as it relates to N95 Respirators:

Q:  Is an employer’s obligated to provide respirators and to whom?

A:   The bottom line is that there are two scenarios that an employer needs to be prepared for:  (1) An Employer must provide an N95 respirator to any unvaccinated employee who works with others indoors or in a vehicle and who requests one and (2)  If there is a major outbreak the employer must provide an N95 to any employees in the exposed group for voluntary use.  The employer must provide a respirator that is the right size and fit for the employee and they must provide basic instruction on how to get a good fit or seal around their face.

Q:  Does an Employer have to provide N95 respirators “upon request”?

A:  An employer must be able to provide the respirator upon request.  The employer can wither keep the N95 masks in stock or they can take a poll of all their employees to determine which employees will need an N95 respirator before they purchase them.  Once the employer has determined that it has employees that wish to wear respirators it should make sure that it has enough quantity of masks that fit properly for this group of employees and also consider that respirators will have to be replaced if soiled, broken or contaminated.  Employers can also allow employees to purchase their own mask and reimburse the employee.

If an unvaccinated employee asks for an N95 mask at any time, the employer is obligated to provide one.

If there is a major outbreak the employer must offer N95 respirators to all employees whether they have been vaccinated or not.

Q. How soon does a respirator need to be provided after an employee requests it?

A. According to the new ETS employers should estimate their needs immediately and order the required NIOSH Approved N95 respirators to provide to unvaccinated employees as soon as possible.

Healthcare Workers Also Continue to Depend on N95 Masks

While the COVID-19 pandemic is becoming less severe as case counts drop steadily and larger percentages of people become vaccinated from the coronavirus, healthcare workers are still in need of protective equipment to prevent a COVID-19 infection, especially since variants of this virus are spreading worldwide. As such, the NIOSH N95 mask is essential for hospital workers over the coming months.

While there was a severe shortage of health grade N95 masks in the past, now that fewer people in the outside world need to mask up, hospital workers are seeing a more steady stream of the N95 mask in their supplies. This means nurses, doctors, and other healthcare workers will not need to worry about infection risk as much since they won’t need to re-use these supplies.

Who are the hospital workers that are in greatest need of the NIOSH approved N95 respirator? Keep reading to find out.

Hospital Workers are also in Need of This Mask

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), surgical N95 respirators are meant only for healthcare personnel who need to be protected from airborne and fluid risks such as splashes and sprays. If N95 respirator masks are not available for use, a face shield can be used instead.

Therefore, any healthcare workers, such as surgeons, physicians, or nurses, who perform procedures on patients that involve transfer of body fluids, particulate matter, and microorganisms need to use N95 respirators, according to the US Food and Drug Administration.

What Different Styles of Masks are in Use Today?

There are several different styles of masks that medical workers use today, such as the cup style mask, a mask with a vertical fold, and a duckbill mask. There are N95 masks in the shape of a cup style, which involves a cone shape.

A vertical fold mask has vertical pleats and can be sewn together by an average stitcher using standard fabric that can be bought at a Michaels store. An N95 duckbill mask poofs out at the front and looks similar to a duckbill.

What is a Surgical Rating for an N95?

NIOSH approves surgical N95 respirators for use as a standard N95 respirator while in the past the FDA approved the respirator as a surgical mask.  Recently NIOSH has updated their surgical respirator approval to a more streamlined process. Research has shown that N95 respirator masks have much lower penetration levels of particles in the air when compared to the blue style 3 ply surgical mask.

Having a proper fit across the face, as determined by a fit test, makes a major difference in keeping air particles from infecting the mask wearer.

Who are the Key Manufacturers in this Space?

Some of the top manufacturers of protective equipment and face masks include:

    • Makrite
    • 3M
    • Honeywell
    • Kimberley-Clark Corporation

SPH Medical is a trusted source for N95 respirators and is a global distributor for Makrite Industries.

The Healthcare Facilities Using N95 Masks

In addition to Hospitals, some other types of healthcare facilities that use N95 respirators that you may not be aware of include long-term care facilities, nursing homes, and assisted living centers, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). In particular, healthcare workers who are in contact with a long-term care resident who is suspected or found to have COVID-19 should wear N95 respirators or a higher-level face mask.

New Market Trends

The market trends for N95 respirators positioned the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 45.1% from 2020 to 2027, according to a report from Grand View Research. The COVID-19 pandemic along with other infectious diseases led to a significant growth in demand for N95 respirators. North America took up a 32.3 percent share of global revenue in 2019.

Despite the decline in COVID-19 cases, the growth in demand for N95 respirators means there is still a global shortage of protective equipment and these masks, according to the FDA. To mitigate these continual shortages, the US government is taking action such as providing more information about alternative options for protective gear.

US manufacturers have been investing millions of dollars into rebuilding the stockpiles of such protective equipment including masks, isolation gowns, and more. International manufacturing has also played a major role in overcoming these shortages.

The future of the healthcare industry will depend upon N95 respirators and other protective equipment while the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact the globe.

References:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/checklist-n95-strategy.html

https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/respiratory-protection-covid19-long-term-care.pdf

https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/n95-mask-market#:~:text=The%20global%20N95%20mask%20market%20size%20was%20estimated%20at%20USD,USD%206.39%20billion%20in%202020.&text=The%20N95%20mask%20market%20is,USD%2021.57%20billion%20by%202027.

https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-covid-19-and-medical-devices/medical-device-shortages-during-covid-19-public-health-emergency

 

 

 

Add to cart