What are disposables and consumables in healthcare?

Disposables are single-use medical products intended to be discarded after one use to prevent cross-contamination, whereas consumables are items that are used up during care activities, such as wipes or dressings.

Why are these supplies important?

They support infection prevention, safe clinical procedures, and efficient workflow by ensuring materials are available when needed and without risk of reuse.

Do disposables need special storage?

Yes. Items should be kept in clean, dry areas with appropriate environmental conditions as per manufacturer instructions to maintain sterility and integrity.

What areas use these supplies most frequently?

Emergency departments, general practice clinics, aged care facilities, diagnostic services and surgical units are among the highest-usage areas due to routine patient contact and procedural demands.

Can disposables reduce infection risk?

Yes. Single-use items eliminate the risk of cross-use contamination, which is a key factor in hospital-acquired infections.

Are these products regulated?

Many disposables and consumables fall under regulated medical supply categories, requiring compliance with healthcare safety and quality standards.

How should used disposables be disposed of?

Disposal should follow clinical waste segregation protocols, which often include biohazard containers for contaminated materials.

Can these supplies be ordered in bulk?

Yes. Due to frequent use, most healthcare providers establish bulk ordering and inventory systems to maintain uninterrupted supply.

Are there environmentally sustainable options?

Environmentally preferable consumables are increasingly available, though clinical context and regulatory requirements still guide selection.

Do these products have shelf-lives?

Some consumables and disposables — particularly sterile products — have expiry dates that should be monitored to ensure safety.

Can non-clinical staff handle these items?

Training is recommended, especially where infection control and safety procedures are involved.

Are disposables used in home care?

Yes. Many consumables are suitable for home health contexts under clinician guidance.

How do I know what to keep in stock?

Usage tracking and care demand forecasting help define optimal inventory levels for your facility.

Can these items be substituted?

Substitution should be guided by clinical requirements and product specifications to ensure compatibility with procedural needs.

How do disposables support clinical documentation?

Structured use of disposables often ties into care protocols that are documented for safety and quality auditing.

Designed for clinical environments requiring fluid resistance, this level 3 surgical face mask features ear loop fastening and a structured design to support consistent coverage during procedures. The mask supports barrier protection against splashes while allowing comfortable wear across extended shifts. Commonly used in hospitals and treatment areas, this disposable face mask is supplied by Sumac Medical Supplies as part of reliable medical face masks supplies.

3M Aura 1870+ Flat Fold Particulate Respirator/Surgical Mask 20pcs

$ 49.50 $ 45.00 ex. GST

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Description

3M™ Flat Fold Particulate Respirator & Surgical Mask 1870+ NIOSH

N95/P2 with Fluid Resistance, 20/Box

The 1870 healthcare respirator is designed to help provide respiratory protection for the wearer against certain airborne particles. It meets CDC guidelines for Mycobacterium tuberculosis exposure control. As a disposable particulate respirator, it is intended to reduce wearer exposure to certain airborne particles including those generated by electrocautery, laser surgery, and other powered medical instruments. As a surgical mask, it is designed to be fluid resistant to splash and spatter of blood and other infectious materials.

The 1870 particulate respirator is a personal protective equipment (PPE) that is primarily intended to protect the health care workers by reducing exposure to harmful airborne particles which are small enough to be inhaled – typically particles less than 100 microns in size. These include airborne particles that may contain biological material e.g. Bacillus anthracis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, mould and the virus that causes Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), and Influenza. • Packaging: 20 respirators / box, 12 [Change to 12 Boxes/Case as per marketer] boxes / case Proper selection, training and use are essential in order for the respirator to adequately protect the wearer from certain airborne contaminants. Warning: Selection of the most appropriate Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) will depend on the particular situation and should be made only by a competent person knowledgeable of the actual working conditions and the limitations of RPE. Details regarding performance and limitations are set out on the respirator packaging and user instructions. Before using any respirator, the wearer must read and understand the user instructions for the product. Use in accordance with AS/NZS 1715:2009 Standard. Misuse can result in sickness or death. For more information, see your Supervisor or contact an Occupational Hygienist, Safety professional or 3M TechAssist Helpline – Australia 1800 024 464 / New Zealand 0800 364 357.

NIOSH certified N95
Meets CDC guidelines for Mycobacterium tuberculosis exposure control
Bacterial Filtration Efficiency (BFE) > 99% according to ASTM F2101
Fluid resistant according to ASTM F1862 at 160 mm Hg
Respirator contains no components made from natural rubber latex
Red coloured head straps for health care use
Mould nose clip to wearer’s nose shape to help reduce eyewear fogging and ensure a better seal and fit

For sale to healthcare professionals only

Aerosol Type	Non-Oil
Australia and New Zealand Compliance Standards	N95
Boxes per Case	6
Braided Comfort Strap	No
Brand	Aura™
Cartridge or Filter Included	Yes
Exhalation Valve	No
Faceseal/Nosefoam	Nosefoam
Flame Resistance (ASTM D2859-96)	No
Flammability Rating	Class 1
Fluid Resistant (ASTM F1862)	Yes
Individually Wrapped	Yes
Model	1870+
Natural Rubber Latex Components	No
Number per Box	20
Packaging	Bulk Case
Product Type	Healthcare Respirator
Respirator Style	Flat Fold
Strap Attachment Type	Stapled