Providing Oxygen, Protecting Providers

Occasionally you can tell what’s wrong with a patient just by looking at them. But more often than not it’s not so obvious, and patients don’t yet come with flashing neon signs over their heads that make it clear if they’re sick, and with what.

But Grey County Paramedics Services in Owen Sound, ON, has found a way to combat airborne hazards, like the flu or other respiratory illnesses, with the Rescuer FLO2MAX Oxygen Mask from BLS Systems, says Paramedic Supervisor Jeff Adams.

“All too often paramedics receive information about these communicable diseases after they have initiated treatments to their patients; by this time they have potentially been exposed,” Adams explains. “The FLO2MAX mask provides a barrier, or filter, to the paramedics early on in the call, when information hasn’t been obtained prior to applying an oxygen mask. Compared to a standard oxygen mask, the FLO2MAX provides the filtration needed to help protect our paramedics and minimize respiratory illness transmission during oxygen and nebulized medication administration.”

Adams notes the FLO2MAX differs very little from the oxygen masks his agency used to carry in terms of basic operation, so it didn’t take long to get crews up to speed. Now Grey County providers use the FLO2MAX on all calls that require oxygen, and over three years of use they’ve been completely satisfied.

Adams says he’d definitely recommend the FLO2MAX to other agencies. “It provides a filtration system to minimize transmission of respiratory illnesses to paramedics and first responders. Some other key features include its ease of use and seamless transition to a new mask; its ability to provide nebulized medication with an adaptor; and different sizing—small and large adult, and child. And the cost is in line with the standard oxygen masks.”

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