TSI Instruments Leading the Way in COVID-19 Prevention, Preparation, and Patient Care

TSI Incorporated, designer and manufacturer of precision air particle measurement instruments, is working with healthcare organizations across the globe to enable the use of its technologies to ensure worker safety in the midst of the coronavirus, or COVID-19, pandemic. TSI’s respirator fit testing, air flow measurement and mask filter testing technologies are being utilized globally to help protect healthcare workers and first responders protect themselves as they care for affected patients.

“During this unprecedented global event, we are committed to doing our part to provide very specialized products and components that are critical to the protection and aid of healthcare workers, first responders, and of course, affected patients,” said Tom Kennedy, Ph.D., President at TSI Incorporated. “This is personal for many of us at TSI as some of us have family members working on the front lines of patient care or have at-risk family members. We are extremely proud of the role our people and products are playing during these difficult times, and our manufacturing and operations team deserve special recognition.”

COVID-19 is a public health emergency and TSI recognizes that healthcare facilities and staff are on the frontlines. Given it is a respiratory illness, respiratory protection program (RPP) managers are tasked with finding solutions to better protect their colleagues. TSI recognizes this challenge and has been working closely with RPP teams to support training and implementation of its respiratory protection technologies, which also enables the collection of data to contribute to COVID-19 preparedness and infection prevention. Three ways the healthcare industry is currently utilizing TSI technology to help curtail the spread of COVID-19 include:

• Supporting the manufacturers of protective masks: Filter testers, test filters, and filtration material and media. TSI designed and manufactures the 8130A Automated Filter Tester, which tests and certifies filter media and protective masks. As world-wide manufacturing capacity is ramped up, the capability of manufacturers to certify that the media and mask are fit for purpose ensuring proper filtration of harmful particle containing viruses is also increased. These devices are being utilized by facilities in the Wuhan, China area, where it was impossible to provide in person installation. TSI staff created virtual training and installation material, enabling global partners efficiently and effectively bring leverage the equipment.
   
• Supporting the manufacturers of ventilators: TSI manufacturers a specially engineered  air flow sensor, providing highly accurate flow measurements required by ventilator manufacturers to ensure proper volumetric flow to patients in respiratory duress. In response to this unprecedented demand, TSI has brought additional fixturing and manufacturing equipment online and have ramped up production to meet the demand for this critical piece of medical equipment.
   
• Flattening the curve with mask fit testing: Across the globe, TSI is rapidly delivering respirator fit testing equipment into the hands of agencies, healthcare workers and first responders. WHO, CDC, NIOSH, and OSHA regulate N95 facemasks, which block at least 95% of airborne particles and are recommended for healthcare workers. Without a tight fit and annual fit test, N95 masks are not as effective. PortaCount® Respirator Fit Testers can fit test any respirator mask, including N95 masks, in two and a half minutes. Unlike qualitative tests—also known as “smell tests”—a PortaCount® tester and its FitPro® software count the particles on both sides of a mask, providing quantitative results. Hospitals, clinics, fire and police stations, ambulance crews, military bases, and nursing homes are choosing quantitative fit testing over the more subjective and time-consuming qualitative method.
   
• Supporting Hospital Isolation Rooms: TSI is a leading supplier of room pressure monitors and controls for Airborne Infection Isolation Rooms, helping keep patients and staff safe by ensuring that the room is properly pressurized and keeping contaminants in or out, depending on the patient situation.

To learn more about TSI’s solutions for respiratory protection programs, visit www.tsi.com/covid-19.

About TSI Incorporated

TSI Incorporated serves a global market by investigating, identifying and solving measurement problems. As an industry leader in the design and production of precision instruments, TSI partners with research institutions and customers around the world to set the standard for measurements relating to aerosol science, health and safety, indoor air quality, air flow, and fluid dynamics. With headquarters based in the U.S. and field offices throughout Europe and Asia, TSI has established a worldwide presence in the markets we serve. Every day, our dedicated employees turn research into reality.

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