All You Need To Know About Face Mask Protection

Ever since the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2, the CDC has made certain recommendations of wearing masks as general protection against the spread of the virus. In addition to this, CDC also recommends social distancing as an imperative part of containing the spread of COVID-19 disease. However, as people are getting vaccinated, there is rising confusion and distrust in using face masks as a form of primary protection. In response to this, CDC still continues to monitor the spread and asserts the initial recommendation of wearing face masks as primary protection.

How important is it to wear face masks?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the chances of the virus transmitting to others are high even if the person shows no signs and symptoms of COVID-19. Therefore, wearing masks has proven to be an effective way to control the spread of the virus. Although face masks may or may not meet any fluid barrier or filtration efficiency levels, it is still important that the face should be covered, especially the nose and the mouth. 

Among all the types of face masks and protection available in the market, cloth masks are a mild protective gear in terms of fluid barriers, whereas the N95 respirator provides higher respiratory protection to the wearer than cloth masks. Hence, even with the limited evidence supporting the effectiveness of the cloth masks, these items provide significant protection from germs, fluid exchange, and even the virus. Therefore, the CDC and WHO share a unanimous opinion that the widespread use of face masks might help to slow the spread of Covid-19.

What are different types of masks and their effectiveness?

• Medical masks, also known as surgical masks are loose-fitting disposable face protection. Originally designed to protect the wearer from the contact of germs and droplets, a medical mask should only be worn for a short period of time as they are loose in form-fitting and may not provide long-term protection or in highly contagious environments.

• Cloth Masks. These masks are intended to trap respiratory droplets when the wearer talks, coughs or sneezes. Therefore, it is only effective if made of multiple layers and a tightly woven fabric such as cotton. Cloth masks are safe to be worn by healthy and fully vaccinated individuals in non-congested environments. 

• N95 Respirators. These offer the highest form of protection than medical and cloth masks and covers the contours of the face, Its full-coverage filters out both large and small particles as the wearer inhales. Initially, these masks were in short supply, so the CDC recommended that these should be reserved for healthcare professionals only. However, now that these masks are abundant in supply, they are advised to be worn by people showing mild symptoms of flu or COVID-19.

Evidently, there are a number of benefits that face mask protection can provide to the wearer and to those around them. Hence, it’s essential to practice proper care in wearing and removing face masks to ensure proper protection. 

Elite Medical Accessories offers industry-grade face protection accessories in the form of surgical masks, 3 ply masks for children, and N95 respirators. Visit our website or reach out to our team to buy the highest-quality face protection accessories for your medical facility.

What to consider when choosing disposable sleeves for medical professionals?

Healthcare workers are often at risk of exposure to biological fluids that are capable of transmitting diseases. As they often treat patients with various diseases, extra precautions need to be taken when treating patients with high-risk conditions such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Ebola Virus, and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). It can pose significant risks to the lives and health of healthcare workers. Thus, healthcare institutes regularly need to stock up on face masks, gloves, polypropylene sleeves, and other PPE gear as required to ensure the protection of medical professionals.

The disposable arm sleeves play a critical role in protecting the medical professionals against contaminants by acting as a layer of protective barrier for the forearm. Therefore, most healthcare organizations need to buy polypropylene sleeves in bulk to ensure sufficient supply. Protective sleeves can be either worn over bare skin or over the clothing. They are most frequently used when medical professionals need to work in an environment where there is an increased risk of contaminant fluids spraying or spurting accidentally, which could compromise their safety. Therefore, they must be made from cut-resistant material to avoid abrasions and cuts and provide an extra layer of protection. But at the same time, it is crucial to buy breathable disposable sleeves, which is why polypropylene is a popular choice.

Polyethylene sleeves are highly effective in protecting against water-based liquids and significantly reduce particulate release. The particulate release is a significant threat in the medical setting as it puts the health of healthcare workers at great risk. Thus, these sleeves are commonly used by cleaning professionals, surgical teams, and labs where splash protection is necessary. Extra-thick Vinyl protective sleeves are also a popular choice for medical professionals who require more protection against body fluids, chemicals, and abrasions. 

Following are a few things to consider when choosing disposable sleeves for medical professionals:

1. The risk exposure must be estimated accurately to select the right protective sleeves for different medical professionals working in various medical settings as there are no one-size-fits-all. 

2. The sleeves must be well fitted, and the size selection should be accurate as loose-fitting or tight-fitting sleeves may increase the risk of exposure or make it hard for them to operate with full mobility.

3. The ease or difficulty with which polypropylene sleeves are put on and removed should also be considered as medical professionals often have to get ready fast for medical procedures.

4. The fabric strength and durability need to be assessed.

5. Healthcare organizations must source FDA-approved gloves and sleeves from reputed suppliers for the use of medical professionals.

All of the available information, including potential limitations, needs to be carefully reviewed when selecting the most appropriate protective sleeves. If you are looking to buy a bulk supply of high-quality, medical-grade, breathable disposable sleeves, get in touch with our team for expert assistance.

 

How to Clean and Disinfect a Home Office or Work Space

Novel coronavirus has made people take their cleaning practices to another level. Maintaining personal hygiene as well as keeping our surroundings clean is more of a healthy habit. However, Covid-19 has made disinfecting all surfaces and daily usables a necessity rather than just a weekly chore. 

While the goal is a thoroughly cleaned office space and constantly touched Surface Disinfectant Spray, there is still a right way to disinfect your home according to the government’s guidelines. . So, here are some additional CDC approved tips for a virus clean office space:

• Know the difference. Before you pick up a cloth and disinfectant spray, it is important to know the difference between cleaning and disinfecting. Cleaning is simply removing visible dirt and grime, and washing things. However, disinfecting is killing the microscopic pathogens, bacteria, and getting rid of all the germs that could transfer from one place to another. We need to do both.

• Moisturize. Whether you just cleaning up with a mop and plain water or adding any disinfecting agent, constantly washing hands can be harsh on the skin. Hence, it is important for the skin to be more moisturized first to add a protective layer between your bare skin and chemical disinfecting agents.

• Protect. Even if you are cleaning indoors, it is important to protect yourself from any harmful fumes that may be emitted by the disinfecting agents. So, consider wearing a cloth mask or rubber gloves while cleaning to prevent your skin from becoming dry and flaky.

• Disinfect it all. Now that you are ready and all geared up for a deep cleaning session, start by cleaning the surfaces that you frequently touch. Use a dry cloth first and then go over with a high-quality, industry-grade surface disinfectant spray to disinfect all potentially contagious areas. While disinfecting, keep these in mind:

• It is recommended to use the cleaning agents exactly as directed on the label and in the exact amount. Also, avoid mixing two or more disinfectants in an effort to “ultra-clean” everything.

• Thoroughly clean frequently touched surfaces like doorknobs, pulls, and handles, especially the ones on the outside of the office. Even if you stay inside, these might be accumulating germs from the air and during the trips to carry the essentials.

• All countertops must be included in the disinfecting checklist, including the kitchen and bathroom, toilets, faucets, etc.

• Remember to not ignore the wearables and other mobile equipment like watches, phones, remote controls. Wipe them with a mild cleaner on a clean muslin cloth at least once a day.

Lastly, always wash your hands for 20 seconds after cleaning or removing gloves. And always buy the high-quality surface disinfectant spray from a trustworthy source, like Elite Medical Accessories. They have the best prices for all medical equipment and supplies. Visit their website to explore their wide range of products.

CDC guidelines to improve infection prevention in healthcare settings

Nowadays, infection prevention is crucial for all kinds of private and public establishments to prevent coronavirus spread. However, the healthcare setting is the highest risk area. Even before the pandemic, the infection prevention professionals in hospitals, physician offices, and other healthcare settings sanitized every surface with disinfectant spray. Although strict sterilization protocols are followed in hospitals to ensure the safety of healthcare professionals and patients, there are still many cases of healthcare-acquired infections.

As per the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, about 1 in 20 patients have a healthcare-associated infection at any given time. Therefore, it has become even more crucial to ensure more rigorous sanitization in healthcare facilities.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published guidelines outlining multiple standard precautions that apply to all healthcare facilities regardless of suspected or confirmed infection status of the patient. 

Following are the standard precautions outlined by CDC:

Hand hygiene

As per the World Health Organization (WHO), hand hygiene is the most crucial factor to avoid the transmission of harmful substances. Therefore, healthcare facilities are recommended to buy and use surface disinfectant spray, which is alcohol-based, as the primary method of hand hygiene as per the CDC guidelines.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) 

PPE such as gloves, gowns, face masks, and goggles are crucial to protect healthcare professionals from exposure to infectious substances such as contagious blood, bodily fluids, or air-borne infections. As per CDC, the PPE equipment used by healthcare workers may become contaminated with potential pathogens after treating an infected patient and must be disposed of following the protocols to prevent contamination. However, considering shortages of PPE equipment, the CDC authorized the use of Reusable PPE gowns approved by the FDA as per the proper product usage guidelines. 

Environmental sanitization

Healthcare facilities already ensured to sterilize the environment in OR and other areas where medical procedures and testings are performed. However, with the ongoing pandemic, it has become crucial for healthcare facilities to sanitize the patient’s environment to minimize the risk of infections.

As per CDC, all frequently touched surfaces in the patient rooms that may carry microorganisms must be regularly disinfected with a medical-grade disinfectant spray. Thus, any medical devices such as blood pressure cuffs, stethoscopes, X-ray machines, and environmental surfaces including doorknobs, beds, and chairs must be sanitized thoroughly to prevent infections.

Respiratory hygiene

As per the CDC, every person visiting the hospital who has signs/symptoms of respiratory infections must wear a face mask to prevent spreading the germs from the point of entry throughout the duration of the visit.

However, many medical facilities are facing challenges in finding reliable sources to buy the required supplies, such as surface disinfectant spray, and PPE supplies.

Elite Medical Accessories is a reliable supplier of medical-grade disinfectant spray, face masks, gloves, and other medical accessories. So, if you want to buy disinfectant spray and other medical accessories in bulk, get in touch with our team for inquiries. 

Do BYd KN95 face masks provide superior protection to healthcare workers against viruses?

Healthcare workers need to use a combination of a face mask & eye protection accessories to protect themselves from any potential health hazards in the healthcare setting. N95 and surgical masks are among the most necessary personal protective equipment (PPE), which protect healthcare workers against droplet and air-borne viruses.

Surgical masks are designed to prevent healthcare professionals from potential contaminants present in the air or patients’ body fluids. It acts as a physical barrier to block large particles.

However, the N95 respirators are superior quality face mask with air filtering. They provide much better protection to the wearer than a surgical mask in many ways.

They are usually a tighter fit around the nose and mouth to minimize contamination. In addition, they are specifically designed to block micro-particles from reaching the wearer’s mouth.

Its efficient air filtration makes it a superior choice in healthcare settings against air and droplet-based viruses.

Why choose BYd KN95 face masks?

BYd KN95 face masks are FDA-approved face masks designed to provide superior respiratory protection to wearers. These are equipped with a filter efficiency of 95% or greater, which is highly effective in blocking solid or liquid micro aerosol particles from contacting the mouth and nose of the wearer. Although their primary purpose is for healthcare workers, they can also be used in construction and other industrial jobs that expose the workers to micro dust particles. 

Precautions to use N95 masks

• N95 face masks are designed to be worn by healthy adults. These are quite tight-fitting and can make it difficult for people with respiratory conditions or cardiac problems to breathe. Therefore, healthcare workers need to be medically fit to use the N95 masks.

• These are designed for single-use. Thus, if the mask has been soiled, damaged, or worn once, it must be discarded as per the CDC guidelines. 

• N95 masks are not designed to be used by children as they might not be the right fit on their faces. Thus, they will be unable to provide optimum protection against hazardous viruses.

If you are looking to buy FDA-approved face mask protection & medical accessories which adhere to the CDC guidelines, get in touch with our team.

Our team is equipped to fulfill even bulk orders of face mask protection devices for medical facilities across the U.S. Contact us to know more.

The Risks Of Using Lower-Grade Masks For Healthcare Workers

Pandemic or not, healthcare workers always need to wear a face mask and protection accessories when working in the healthcare environment. During the pandemic, there was an acute shortage of face masks and protective gear such as PPE. The federal authorities ruled that healthcare workers can use surgical masks when treating Covid-19 patients. The surgical masks are comparatively less protective than N95 respirator masks that provide much superior protection against the Coronavirus. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) allowed healthcare workers to use lower-grade masks as an acceptable alternative to N95 masks when performing low-risk procedures keeping in mind the shortage of medical supplies at the time. But as time passed, the evidence pointed out that using lower-grade surgical masks put the healthcare workers at significant health risk. Many healthcare workers that worked at the frontlines of treating coronavirus patients fell victim to the illness due to using lower-grade face masks and lack of protective equipment. As per reports, the healthcare workers made up almost 11% of covid-cases out of the country’s total covid cases. 

As per the evidence, lower-grade surgical masks cannot provide the required reliable protection to healthcare workers against the dangerous virus. Without high-grade respiratory face mask protection, the healthcare workers are vulnerable to airborne viruses such as Covid-19. The N95 face masks are designed to provide superior protection against airborne and droplet-based viruses. As per testings, the N95 masks can block 95% of extremely micro air particles from contacting the wearer’s face, which is very difficult to prevent with low-grade surgical masks.

Many health facilities are expanding their search for reliable suppliers of high-grade face masks and protection accessories to combat the scarcity that is still somewhat prevalent in the industry. Although it is not as scarce as it was at the beginning of the pandemic, it is a wise decision to find a few reliable distributors to ensure that your healthcare facilities can source reliable medical supplies in the future. If you are interested in finding a trustworthy distributor to buy face masks and protection accessories of the highest quality that adhere to the CDCguidelines, get in touch with our team today. 

About Elite Medical Accessories 

Elite Medical Accessories is a leading medical supply distribution company. We have more than 20 years of experience sourcing and distributing high-quality face masks, gloves, PPE, and other medical accessories across the United States. Please get in contact with our team to know more our products.

Role Of Thermal Imager And PPE In The Medical Industry During Covid-19

The covid-19 pandemic caused a massive scarcity of masks, gloves, and other PPE equipment for medical professionals. As covid-19 is highly contagious, and doctors are still learning more about it, the risk of exposure is greater for medical professionals. It has also encouraged many hospitals to buy a thermal imager, protection suit, protective goggles, and gloves for their medical professionals’ safety.

The thermal imaging system is an alternative way to screen patients with high temperatures without any physical contact. As hospitals have to make use of limited resources to screen a large number of people, thermal imaging makes it convenient to distinguish people with high body temperature. It is important to note that it is not a way to determine if someone has Covid-19. It is just a better way to distinguish people with higher body temperature who may have a fever without any physical contact. More tests need to be performed to ascertain whether someone is Covid positive or not.

Following is the primary role of the thermal imaging system in hospitals:

• It is a zero-contact method of assessing a patient’s body temperature.
• It can precisely and accurately measure someone’s body temperature to determine if a Covid-19 diagnostic test must be performed.
• It is a highly effective effort to reduce the spread of the Covid-19 virus.
• It is a faster way of accurately measuring a patient’s temperature as compared to traditional thermometers.

While this system also has its own limitations, like it cannot be used for mass fever screening or diagnosing if a person is covid-19 positive or just has the flu, it is still a faster way of screening patients in the hospital and maintaining the social distancing of patients and healthcare professionals.

On the other hand, PPE equipment like protective suit goggles and gloves are necessary to buy for medical professionals to ensure the safety of their staff and patients. They help keep the medical professionals safe and protected from any contagious substances when treating Covid-19 patients. 

If you are looking for a reliable distributor to buy high-quality PPE equipment like protective suit goggles and gloves, and thermal imager, get in touch with our team.