When trying to determine what of anything is best, or for discussing the same, it is helpful to have actual criteria, and if necessary to weight those criteria and score candidate products with respect to each criteria in order to get an overall score. I have written about structured comparative shopping in general and will share upon request direct to me: wahyman@gmail.com

PS. The Digest can be much more readable if you don't include everything, some multiple times, when replying. Or at a minimum change the Subject as requested by the moderator.
----------------------------------------------------
Today's Topics:

   1. Re:  N95 masks (Epps, Nancy)


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Message: 1
Date: Thu, 27 Apr 2017 20:47:03 +0000
From: "Epps, Nancy" <nepps@tgh.org>
To: "mcoh-eh@mylist.net" <mcoh-eh@mylist.net>
Subject: Re: [MCOH-EH] N95 masks
Message-ID:
        <DM5PR02MB2219F41332C874C835D651A2AD100@DM5PR02MB2219.namprd02.prod.outlook.com>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

We used the Kimberly Clark 'duckbill' for over 20 years with 3M 1860 and 3M 1870+ as back-up for those that didn't fit the duckbill.

2 years ago we switched to 3M 1805 VFlex and found 95-97% of our staff fit the VFlex.
We now use the duckbill as one of our back-up masks for those that don't fit the Vflex.
We found that the 3M VFlex is the cheapest mask for us, next being the duckbill then the 3m 1860. The 3M 1870+ is our most expensive mask, so we utilize that one as a last resort when fit testing staff.

Nancy Epps RN BSN
Clinician, Employee Health Services
Tampa General Hospital
Phone: (813) 844-8003
Email: nepps@tgh.org

-----Original Message-----
 
Today's Topics:

   1. Re:  MCOH-EH Digest, Vol 252, Issue 138 (Wyatt, Melissa)
   2.   Are some brands of N95 masks superior to others?
      (Schirle, Rebecca)
   3. Re:  MCOH-EH Digest, Vol 252, Issue 140 (Corrigan, Mary)


----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Thu, 27 Apr 2017 19:21:28 +0000
From: "Wyatt, Melissa" <MWYATT@baptisthealthsystem.com>
To: "mcoh-eh@mylist.net" <mcoh-eh@mylist.net>
Subject: Re: [MCOH-EH] MCOH-EH Digest, Vol 252, Issue 138
Message-ID:
        <076880A767012B479163BC9F6335FBACE645BD39@SATX-EXC-MBX05.satx.vhs.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Several years ago we switched to Kimberly-Clark when we were having back order issues w/3M. We had the same issues w/Kimberly-Clark that you are experiencing  and switched to 3M 1870/1870+ Aura.
I estimate 95-97% of our staff are able to pass with the 1870+ Aura. The remaining few wear the 3M 1860 or 1860S and a handful require use of a larger N95 mask from 3M -
Melissa

Melissa Wyatt RN BS COHN-S
Director Employee Health/Workers Compensation
205 Camden, IHE Bldg.  #101, San Antonio, TX 78215
Office = 210-297-7861
Mobile = 210-884-7793
Fax = 210-297-0094

PART OF TENET HEALTHCARE

 


Today's Topics:

   1.  Are some brands of N95 masks superior to others? (Tim Crump)
   2. Re:  Are some brands of N95 masks superior to others?
      (Thanassi, Wendy)
   3. Re:  Are some brands of N95 masks superior to others?
      (Hodgson, Michael - OSHA)


----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Thu, 27 Apr 2017 18:46:23 +0000
From: "Tim Crump" <crumpt@ohsu.edu>
To: "'MCOH/EH'" <mcoh-eh@mylist.net>
Cc: "Tammy Wade" <wadeta@ohsu.edu>
Subject: [MCOH-EH] Are some brands of N95 masks superior to others?
Message-ID: <5136180F3C8AB8408C0CCFC4430CD2E374591FEB@EXMB10.ohsu.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Hello Everyone, We have had a frustrating experience in our N95 mask fit testing, in that we find that more than 1/3 cannot wear our brand of N95 mask.  In many cases this is due to men with facial hair, etc, but we also have a large number of employees who just fail the fit test twice and go onto our PAPR list for respirator protection.  For staff in surgical services, where PAPRs may not be an option, we can be really stuck.  We use the Kimberly-Clark N95 mask that comes in a regular and small size.

I have heard anecdotal reports that the 3M N95 has better success rates.  Does anyone have experiences or evidence on this topic?  Given that 3M has several different N95 models, is there one type that works best in the hospital setting?  Thank you for any input or advice.  Best, Tim

Tim Crump, MSN, FNP
Tim Crump, MSN, FNP
Family Nurse Practitioner
Occupational Health
Healthcare Human Resources

Oregon Health & Science University
3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd
Mail code: UHN 89
Portland, OR 97239-3098
Department Phone: 503-494-5271
Office Phone: 503-346-1152
Fax: 503-494-4457
Email: crumpt@ohsu.edu<mailto:crumpt@ohsu.edu>

Tues, Thurs, Fri, 8-4:30

[cid:3381310330_334556]

The information contained in this EMAIL message is confidential and protected by law. The information is intended only for the person or business identified in the document. If you are not the intended recipient, by sharing or copying the information you are breaking the law. If you have received this EMAIL by mistake, please notify the sender of this EMAIL and do not return, copy or keep the information in the EMAIL.
 

------------------------------

Message: 2
Date: Thu, 27 Apr 2017 18:51:15 +0000
From: "Thanassi, Wendy" <Wendy.Thanassi@va.gov>
To: MCOH/EH <mcoh-eh@mylist.net>
Cc: Tammy Wade <wadeta@ohsu.edu>
Subject: Re: [MCOH-EH] Are some brands of N95 masks superior to
        others?
Message-ID:
        <1C146C062A1C154EB3FC66642F006D630721C7F8@VAPNSMSGD51S09.vha.med.va.gov>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

We do not have evidence, but the VFLEX 1805 by 3M is much more moldable/flexible and therefore in our experience has better fit profile. We switched to this one.
[https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.healthykin.com_images_Product_large_4787.jpg&d=DwICAg&c=WxSiHUljzaZa6AO7gfNF1nsjLMo-cFTcJAt_xkKy0sg&r=3Ja9t_Owora5435XyGzCkg&m=yG7LNZzMYCAuisl0J2qgaocjj1GFN3MTaOVL06i2Owc&s=_uyH1ZT6hVY05reOuRMHb7SGEfmYf-717iyUYqqyXqU&e= ]
Wendy

Wendy Thanassi MA, MD
Chief, Occupational Health Service
Office of the Deputy Director
Palo Alto VAHCS, California
650-493-5000 x 11-65214

Associate Professor Affiliated
Stanford Hospital and Clinics

   
From: MCOH-EH [mailto:mcoh-eh-bounces@mylist.net] On Behalf Of Tim Crump
Sent: Thursday, April 27, 2017 11:46 AM
To: 'MCOH/EH'
Cc: Tammy Wade
Subject: [EXTERNAL] [MCOH-EH] Are some brands of N95 masks superior to others?

Hello Everyone, We have had a frustrating experience in our N95 mask fit testing, in that we find that more than 1/3 cannot wear our brand of N95 mask.  In many cases this is due to men with facial hair, etc, but we also have a large number of employees who just fail the fit test twice and go onto our PAPR list for respirator protection.  For staff in surgical services, where PAPRs may not be an option, we can be really stuck.  We use the Kimberly-Clark N95 mask that comes in a regular and small size.

I have heard anecdotal reports that the 3M N95 has better success rates.  Does anyone have experiences or evidence on this topic?  Given that 3M has several different N95 models, is there one type that works best in the hospital setting?  Thank you for any input or advice.  Best, Tim

Tim Crump, MSN, FNP
Tim Crump, MSN, FNP
Family Nurse Practitioner
Occupational Health
Healthcare Human Resources

Oregon Health & Science University
3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd
Mail code: UHN 89
Portland, OR 97239-3098
Department Phone: 503-494-5271
Office Phone: 503-346-1152
Fax: 503-494-4457
Email: crumpt@ohsu.edu<mailto:crumpt@ohsu.edu>

Tues, Thurs, Fri, 8-4:30

[cid:3381310330_334556]

The information contained in this EMAIL message is confidential and protected by law. The information is intended only for the person or business identified in the document. If you are not the intended recipient, by sharing or copying the information you are breaking the law. If you have received this EMAIL by mistake, please notify the sender of this EMAIL and do not return, copy or keep the information in the EMAIL.
 
  

Message: 3
Date: Thu, 27 Apr 2017 18:54:23 +0000
From: "Hodgson, Michael - OSHA" <Hodgson.Michael@dol.gov>
To: MCOH/EH <mcoh-eh@mylist.net>
Cc: Tammy Wade <wadeta@ohsu.edu>
Subject: Re: [MCOH-EH] Are some brands of N95 masks superior to
        others?
Message-ID: <F822B9F0BD3C7AA3BB328869CAF002A6F53C877B@unknown>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="windows-1252"