S2E5 Strapless N95: Must haves for the Infection Control Coordinator

Level Up Infection Prevention Podcast

The N95 mask is a safety standard in healthcare and vitally important to protecting healthcare workers and patients. Luckily, with the help of bringing an innovative mask technology to the healthcare market, the strapless N-95 mask was born. In this episode, we have invited Scott Chasin and Dr. Lisa Kane. Today, they share the benefits and importance of using a strapless N-95.

Strapless N-95 Mask

[01:32]

Many people even say that the Strapless N-95 mask is more comfortable than a regular mask. If your mask isn't sealed around the sides, you're not protecting yourself. You should be protecting the patient a little bit better, and you get that in N-95 protection. Healthcare workers want to wear an N95 but don’t because of how uncomfortable they are. The Strapless N95 makes this a choice that no longer need be made!

[05:44]

Dr. Kane was a pioneer in promoting the Strapless N-95 face mask since she has sensitive skin, and she noticed that she broke out when she used the surgical mask. When she found the strapless mask, “it's been a total game-changer for everyone, especially in the medical field.”

Features of Strapless N-95 Mask

[08:45]

A great gentleman invented the mask by the name of John Schwind. The mask has a perimeter of medical-grade acrylic adhesive, and there's about a one-inch perimeter border of the acrylic adhesive tape. It comes in three sizes-small, large and extra-large, and it's a medical-grade hypoallergenic adhesive. The mask itself has three layers to the N-95 protection. There's an outer layer that provides strength and stability. There is a filter layer, the middle layer, which has a tight pore size distribution and electrostatic charge. And the innermost layer, which is intended to support the filtration layer and provide comfort to the wearer. The mask's benefits are that, unlike with current masks where you can still get little openings depending on your movements in certain spots, with this mask, people can pass a FIT test with that perimeter border of adhesive, no matter the shape of your face.

[12:43]

The IFU states the mask is disposable, however the mask can be reapplied multiple times, if desired. The breathability is good in that you're able to breathe very easily. People can hear you speak through the mask; you don't have that muffled sound, the mask is cool, you don't sweat. Some people are allergic to adhesive, even band-aids, they can be the rare ones that have a mild reaction, and we'll get a report of somebody who does have that kind of issue that can't wear the mask.

[14:50]

The Strapless N95 comes in small, large, and extra-large, and large is by far the most popular size. If you have a full beard, you really shouldn't have anything between the mask seal and your skin. Other than that, you're going small or extra-large.

Distribution

[17:27]

On their website, straplessn95.com, you may order different sizes of strapless N-95, and you can also buy the mask directly off the website. Benco does carry their mask as well. Use Coupon Code LevelUp35 for a 35% discount on all orders (excluding sample orders).

Clinical Tips using the mask

[19:08]

You may visit their website, and the most important page is Video: N- 95 Application. It's a different video from people conducting a FIT test, but the application video is super important to watch. But interestingly enough, even people who watch the video may make mistakes even after watching the video, and there are about four mistakes that people generally make. Those are listed on the page. The video talks about practicing in a mirror for the first few times, and you want to be sure to get your fingertips in the crease of the nose before drawing that horizontal line across under your eyes.

Recommendations

[26:49]

When you're taking it off, what I would do is take your gloves off, wash your hands, then take it off your face, then wash your hands. Ideally, one per patient, but for some people, what they're doing is they're wearing it all morning and then taking it off when they have lunch and throwing it out. I'm not excited about the idea of taking it and folding it up and putting it in your pocket and saving it for later.

Learn more about Scott and Dr. Kane on:

Website: https://straplessn95.com/ Use Coupon Code LevelUp35 for a 35% discount on all orders (excluding sample orders).

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-chasin-64893a68

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/straplessn95mask/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/straplessn95mask/