The Need for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)


To our community:

We are seeing many customers across the country produce creative solutions for personal protective equipment (PPE) that might be used by healthcare providers in their local communities and beyond. We encourage those companies that remain open during this time to reach out, network, and see if there is opportunity to help.


How can we work together to help?
 

1.   We encourage our customers to reach out in your local community to healthcare organizations, first responders, etc. and determine PPE items in need. What do they need and in what quantities?
2.   For the items in need, determine your capabilities to produce the items and any approvals required by the end user.
3.   Reach out to Trivantage and we will work together to determine available inputs that might be used to produce the protective gear in need and offer collaboration on design and material selections.


Trivantage is working diligently within the healthcare community to assist in any way we can to supplement demand for raw materials that might be used for PPE during the COVID-19 pandemic. These include input raw materials to produce face shields and gowns (fabrics that have been tested to Level 1, 2, and 3 standards). We are continuing to test other Glen Raven and Trivantage products for gown applications. Many of our customers are also making fabric face mask covers using a range of fabrics that are being used to extend the life of procedural and isolation masks. Trivantage offers a variety of fabrics and accessory items for these applications subject to the disclaimers in the Please Note section below.



Patterns and Resources


To learn more about the construction of PPE or download patterns visit IFAI's PPE Patterns and Resources page.
 

1. Face Shields
 

The following materials may be used in the creation of face shields.
 



Click here for a face shield pattern and instructions
face shield pattern


2. Face Masks


These fabrics may be appropriate for use in homemade isolation-type masks.
 


3. Gowns


The following fabrics may be appropriate for use in protective gowns for the specified levels based on testing in accordance with AATCC 42 and AATCC 127:
 


4. Accessory Items


These items may be able to be used in the production of protective face masks, face shields, gowns, or other PPE devices.
 


5. Tents and Temporary Structures


These materials may be used in the creation of tents and temporary structures that can function as triage and pop-up structures for medical care needs.
 



It is great to see our industry rally to support healthcare providers during this time of need. The Trivantage team is a resource for you and we welcome any opportunities to collaborate, using our collective resources and capabilities to keep our healthcare providers safe.

If we can help supply you with materials for related projects, please call us at 1-800-786-1876 or email us at [email protected]. Please include your name, your company name, and the state where you are located.

Thanks for your support,
The Trivantage Team



Please Note: Some products that Trivantage carries have been used in the production of face masks, face shields, and other personal protective equipment (PPE) devices. However, some of these products have not been formally approved for such use. Medical face masks require certification and must pass FDA-approved testing of the finished mask product.

Sunbrella fabrics are not part of a program for FDA-certified masks and other PPE devices, but Sunbrella upholstery fabric may be appropriate for use in homemade isolation-type masks. In settings where appropriate face masks are not available, homemade isolation masks for care of patients with COVID-19 may be used as a last resort.

Several fabrics we carry could be appropriate for use in isolation gowns. As each healthcare provider may differ in its requirements, we suggest contacting the specific healthcare provider directly to understand their needs and expectations.