In the above video, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Jorge Alvarez, CEO & Clinical Director at Nova Vita Wellness Centers, shows health care providers can use readily available medical supplies to construct a mask if there is a shortage of other forms of PPE.
This project has been in the works for the past few weeks. The COVID-19 crisis throughout the United States inspired Alvarez to help create an alternative for a mask.
Due to the lack of masks hospitals will not use N95 masks unless directly in contact with COVID-19 patients. These supplies are readily available and there is an abundance of these supplies and it is very simple and practical to make. The mask seals to one’s face, the filter is a bi-directional filter and filters anything going in and anything going out. The filter is made by very reputable companies including 3M.
In addition, this is a mask that can be sterilized over and over without compromising its integrity.
DISCLAIMER: This video is for informational purposes only to be used by license medical professionals and is not to be interpreted as medical advice. Given the novelty of COVID-19, the Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation does not support or endorse any specific product, equipment or trademarked technique. When used properly and with regular replacement of the circuit filter, this mask design can be used as an alternative when there is a shortage of PPE.
