LITTLE FALLS, N.J.,
Oct. 28, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The CDC recently revised
their Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) recommendations for
healthcare workers caring for Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) patients to
include the use of N95 or PAPR respirators and full coverage of all
exposed skin. Emory Healthcare, a targeted treatment facility
for EVD patients, also released their Healthcare Ebola Preparedness
Protocols draft document
http://www.emoryhealthcare.org/ebola-protocol/pdf/ehc-evd-protocols.pdf.
While the CDC recommendations are specific only to direct patient
care of diagnosed EVD patients and exclude the use of medical face
masks in this specific scenario, Emory's recommendations involve a
broader set of EVD scenarios (Appendix 5; a "PPE Guidance
Matrix for EVD"), and specifically recommends the use of face masks
in every situation, except during the care of a diagnosed,
symptomatic EVD patient.
Crosstex International, Inc. (Hauppauge, N.Y.), a subsidiary of Cantel
Medical Corp. (NYSE: CMN), and a leading U.S. manufacturer of
earloop face masks and other infection prevention control products,
has seen increased demand for its SECURE FIT® fitted face masks as
a result of heightened concern over the ability of PPE, including
surgical masks, to provide full coverage and protection.
"I think the tightened protocols and the Dallas nurse who expressed concern over neck
exposure where germs could travel up under her mask was an eye
opener to the need for PPE, such as face masks, to provide optimal
protection," said Gary Steinberg,
President of Crosstex.
Face masks are a form of PPE and are FDA-cleared medical devices
that are classified according to their filtration and fluid barrier
properties. They are designed and FDA-cleared to prevent
large particle (droplet) transmission of infection, from the wearer
to others, and from others to the wearer, such as from coughs and
sneezes. Their ability to fit the wearer, however, is not a formal
requirement.
Lisa Brosseau, Director of the
Industrial Hygiene program at the University
of Illinois at Chicago's School of Public Health, and
committee member of the 2007 Institutes of Medicine panel on
reusability of facemasks during an influenza pandemic, stated in a
2003 letter to the FDA: "Drawing from my experience with
respirators, I believe surgical mask failure is due in large part,
or entirely, to their lack of fit," and added, "The criteria used
by FDA to evaluate surgical masks neglect entirely the issue of
fit."
Cantel sponsored published in vitro (laboratory) research
to better understand the factors that contribute to mask
performance, and mask fit was found to be a critical factor in
particle capture. "Crosstex's SECURE FIT® line of fitted face
masks is a result of this research, and we hope to see further
clinical research in this area as well," said Jorgen Hansen, Chief Operating Officer of
Cantel. SECURE FIT fitted masks enable the wearer to adjust
the mask to the face and avoid the typical gapping around the sides
and bottom of the mask that are seen with most loose-fitting
surgical masks.
"The benefits of a proper fitting mask seem obvious, but this
kind of research is needed to move healthcare workers into
demanding more from a face mask," says Hansen. He adds,
"Clinicians have accepted the loose fit because that's all they've
been offered. Recent viral threats including H5N1, H7N9, H1N1,
and now EVD, are creating heightened attention and concern over the
ability of seemingly simple devices such as face masks, to make the
difference between health and infection. As an infection prevention
and control company, it's our job to make that
difference."
Crosstex is offering free trial supplies of SECURE FIT® masks to
any concerned healthcare provider or institution. Visit
www.crosstex.com for further mask education and research, and to
order free samples of SECURE FIT masks.
Crosstex is a member of the Secure Mask Supply Association
www.securemasksupply.org
About Cantel Medical Corp.
Cantel Medical (NYSE:CMN) is a leading global company dedicated
to delivering innovative infection prevention and control products
and services for patients, caregivers, and other healthcare
providers which improve outcomes, enhance safety and help save
lives. Our products include specialized medical device
reprocessing systems for endoscopy and renal dialysis, advanced
water purification equipment, sterilants, disinfectants and
cleaners, sterility assurance monitoring products for hospitals and
dental clinics, disposable infection control products primarily for
dental and GI endoscopy markets, dialysate concentrates, hollow
fiber membrane filtration and separation products, and specialty
packaging for infectious and biological specimens. Additionally, we
provide technical service for our products. For further
information, visit the Cantel website at www.cantelmedical.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements within
the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. These statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties,
including, without limitation, the risks detailed in Cantel's
filings and reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Such forward-looking statements are only predictions, and actual
events or results may differ materially from those projected or
anticipated.
SOURCE Cantel Medical Corp.