- Shipping
- General
- PANBIO Rapid Test
- RMTs
- Dentists
- Personal Services
Shipping
You will receive a tracking information link in an email with your order details
Shipping times within Ontario vary between 2-5 business days.
Outside of Ontario, we anticipate an additional 3 business days.
For shipping to the United States, we anticipate 3-7 business days.
Once we ship your order, you will receive an email with your order details, shipping confirmation, and Canada post tracking number.
First, check if you have received your tracking number by email. If yes, then it is on the way! If you received a tracking number and your order is still taking too long, send us an email (add email) with your order number and we'll investigate and get back to you.
General
Since the Covid-19 outbreak, all healthcare workers who are unable to physically distance from patients and co-workers are advised to wear a surgical/procedural facemask. Staff should continue to complete a point of care risk assessment to determine if further PPE is required for every patient.
Gowns are an example of personal protective equipment that are used to protect the wearer from the spread of infection or illness if the wearer comes in contact with potentially infectious liquids.·
They also are used to help prevent the wearer from transferring microorganisms that could harm vulnerable patients, such as those with weakened immune systems.
Yes, in light of demand and urgent needs of products that can limit the spread of COVID-19 Health Canada has advised that equivalent alternative standards are acceptable if approved and certified under standards similar to NIOSH approved N95 respirators.
All of Safe Direct's products are vetted, tested, and certified to the highest FDA and NIOSH standards to ensure they align with the Government of Canada's guidance on COVID-19 safety
What type of PPE should I use when providing care for patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19?
N95 masks are the US standards for respirator masks. This type of respirator mask creates an airtight seal around the face and filters up to 95% of particles at a diameter of 0.3 microns. N95 masks are specifically regulated by The National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH).
KN95 masks are the Chinese standards for masks and are regulated by the Chinese government under regulation GB2626-2006. KN95 masks are rated to filter 95% of particles. This type of respirator is also used to reduce the risk of inhaling hazardous airborne particles and aerosols.
In response to the shortage of N95 masks across Canada, Health Canada has approved select KN95 respirators by specific manufactures that meet or exceed NIOSH standards. Importantly, Safe Direct’s KN95 Type A and Type B masks have been vetted, tested, and certified to the highest FDA and NIOSH standards to ensure they align with the Government of Canada's guidance on COVID-19 safety.
Surgical mask
A surgical mask is a loose-fitting, disposable device that creates a physical barrier between the mouth and nose of the wearer and potential contaminants in the immediate environment. Specifically, a surgical mask is fluid resistant and provides the wearer protection against large droplets, splashes, or sprays of bodily or other hazardous fluids.
Surgical masks are made in different thicknesses and with different ability to protect the wearer from contact with liquids. These properties may also affect how easily a person can breathe through the face mask and how well the surgical mask protects them.Surgical masks are not designed to pass a fit test
KN95
A KN95 respirator is a tighter-fitting device that provides more protection to the wearer when performing an aerosol generating medical procedures (AGMPs) on patients with diseases like COVID-19. KN95’s are specifically designed to reduce the risk of inhaling hazardous airborne particles and aerosols.
KN95 respirators filter out at least 95% of airborne particles including large and small particles, and aerosols
Reference: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/pdfs/UnderstandDifferenceInfographic-508.pdf
ASTM is an abbreviation for the American Society of Testing and Materials.
ASTM is an international standards organization that develops and publishes voluntary consensus technical standards for a wide range of materials, products, systems and services.
ASTM standards are used all over the world to improve product quality, enhance health and safety, strengthen market access and trade, and to let customers know they can count on products.
When a company’s product meets ASTM standards, their products are proven to be reliable to the consumer because they can be rest assured that they are purchasing an effective device that will perform to the way they expect it to
AAMI stands for The Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation.
AAMI is the standard that establishes a classification system (Levels 1-4) for protective apparel used in health care facilities, including surgical gowns, based on liquid barrier performance using standardized test methods·
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has adopted ANSI/ AAMI PB70:2012 as the standard by which all surgical gown manufacturers must abide.
Level 1 gowns provide a minimal fluid barrier protection. They are used for standard precautions and simple procedures for example, during basic care, standard isolation, , or in a standard medical unit
Level 2 gowns provide minimal to low fluid barrier protection. They are used for minimally invasive surgery, during blood draw, suturing, in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), or a pathology lab.
Level 3 gowns are used for the widest range of surgical procedures, where moderate fluid protection is indicated. Specifically, for arterial blood draw, inserting an Intravenous (IV) line, in the Emergency Room, or for trauma cases
Level 4 gowns provide the highest fluid and microbial barrier protection against blood-borne pathogens in critical zones. They are needed for long, fluid-intensive procedures, surgery, when pathogen resistance is needed or infectious diseases are suspected (non-airborne)
For the health and safety of our team, due to the Covid-19 outbreak, at this time we do not offer refunds, credits or exchanges on our products.
If you are unsure about the fit or quality of our products, we recommend purchasing the product at our minimum quantities and performing a fit-test.
For samples on larger quantities please contact us.
PANBIO Rapid Test
It is an antigen test that can be used for point-of-care testing (POCT) to detect COVID-19 faster than the regular laboratory-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for COVID-19.
See the Ontario Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 Guidance: Considerations for Rapid Antigen Screening for details regarding the recommended use of the Panbio™ COVID-19 Ag Rapid Test as a screening tool. Please see the latest provincial testing guidance under the “Symptoms, Screening, and Testing Resources” section of the Ministry of Health’s website.
The Panbio™ COVID-19 Ag Rapid test should only be used on asymptomatic individuals for screening purposes only.
The Panbio™ COVID-19 Ag Rapid test should not be used for diagnosis of COVID-19 infection. It should not be used for symptomatic individuals, or individuals who have had close contact with known positive cases in the context of this program. Symptomatic individuals, or individuals who have had close contact with known positive cases should be directed to an Assessment Centre, participating licensed community lab or specimen collection centre, where available, for testing.
The Panbio™ COVID-19 Ag Rapid Test should not be used in either a confirmed or suspected outbreak setting. The local Public Health Unit should be notified in such circumstances.
Specimen collection and test processing for rapid antigen testing is to be conducted by health professionals, or other trained individuals, in accordance with the manufacturer’s label.
Nasopharyngeal specimen collection is a controlled act and can only be conducted by a regulated health professional.
RMTs
Yes, due to the risk of COVID-19 transmission government and public health organizations have indicated that RMT’s are required to wear surgical masks.
Masks should be worn by the RMT when providing treatment and during times when they are unable to physically distance (stay two meters away from each other), even if all individuals do not have any COVID-19 symptoms and have screened negative.
Masks should be changed after providing treatment on each client and must be changed whenever wet or damaged. Additionally, an RMT must wash their hands before and after touching, adjusting, putting on, or removing their mask
No, RMT’s should not wear cloth masks when practicing. Cloth masks are significantly less effective at containing droplets than surgical masks and are less likely to protect the wearer against inhalation of droplets or particles
No, due to the COVID-19 outbreak government directives outline that the RMT must not provide treatment to a client if they do not have PPE supplies. RMT's who are found to be practicing without proper protection may incur penalities
In accordance to the Canadian governments recommendation to wear a mask when physical distancing is not possible, an RMT must notify their client that they must wear a clean disposable or reusable mask during treatment
Dentists
Yes, long sleeved gowns are essential for health care providers during the COVID-19 outbreak. Specifically, isolation gowns are immensely sufficient in protecting dentists from aerosol-generating procedures. Aerosols are liquid droplets which can travel through the air. COVID-19 forms predominately through large aerosol droplets and therefore it is very important that isolation gowns are properly used to protect exposed skin and clothing of health care providers
Level 1 surgical masks are to be used during procedures where low amounts of fluid, spray or aerosols are produced. For example, patient evaluations, orthodontic visits, or operatory cleaning.
Level 2 surgical masks provide a moderate barrier for fluid resistance. These can be used for procedures that produce moderate to light amounts of fluid, spray or aerosols. Some examples of procedures are sealant placement, simple restorative or composite procedures or endodontics.
Level 3 masks provide the maximum level of fluid resistance. They are designed for procedures with moderate or heavy amounts of blood, fluid spray or aerosol exposure. Some examples of these procedures are crown or bridge preparations, complex oral surgery, and implant placement
Personal Services
PPE is recommended to be worn when providing services to a client when social distancing measures are difficult to maintain
Nail salon employees fall into a medium exposure risk category, since they have frequent contact with customers. Therefore, it is suggested that they wear a combination of gloves, a gown, a mask, and/or a face shield
Cloth face coverings are not a substitute for respirators or medical face masks when performing job tasks that require respiratory protection (applying acrylic nails)
Yes, the CDC recommends that the public wear face coverings as a protective measure especially when social distancing is not possible.
Encourage clients to wear a face covering when they enter your establishment and when they are receiving services
It is important to have masks available at your workplace for those clients who have not come prepared
Other questions?
If we still haven't answered your question, you can contact us below and we will get back to you as soon as possible.