Personal Protection/Infection Control
PPE and Infection Control Supplies for Skilled Nursing, DME, and Home Care Providers
Geriatric Medical supplies personal protective equipment and infection control products in wholesale volumes to skilled nursing facilities, long-term care and assisted living communities, DME/HME providers, and home care agencies nationwide. Our catalog includes isolation gowns, masks and respirators, face shields and other protective apparel, hand sanitizers and dispensers, skin preps and surface disinfectants, and sterilization supplies, so your team can keep PPE and infection prevention supplies stocked through one distributor.
Whether you're supplying isolation carts, supporting Enhanced Barrier Precautions, preparing for respiratory season, or equipping home care clinicians in the field, our team can help you match PPE and infection control products to your protocols and order volume.
PPE and Infection Control Questions from Providers
What PPE and infection control supplies does Geriatric Medical carry?
We carry isolation gowns, masks and respirators, face shields, goggles, and other protective apparel, hand sanitizers, sanitizer and soap dispensers, skin preps and surface disinfectants, sterilization supplies, and COVID-19 essentials. Products are available in case quantities for facility and provider ordering.
What are Enhanced Barrier Precautions, and what PPE do they require?
Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP) are an infection control approach CMS expects nursing homes to use to reduce the spread of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs). Staff wear a gown and gloves during high-contact care activities, such as bathing, dressing, transferring, toileting, and device or wound care, for residents who are infected or colonized with certain MDROs or who have wounds or indwelling medical devices. Because EBP increases gown and glove use, facilities typically stock PPE at the entrance to affected rooms. Follow current CMS and CDC guidance for which residents and activities apply.
What do isolation gown levels 1 through 4 mean?
Isolation gowns are rated on the AAMI PB70 standard, which measures resistance to fluid penetration. Level 1 offers minimal fluid protection and is used for basic care and standard isolation. Level 2 offers low protection for tasks with minor fluid exposure. Level 3 offers moderate protection for tasks with a greater chance of fluid contact. Level 4 offers the highest protection and is used where large amounts of fluid are expected. Most routine care and isolation in long-term care uses Level 1 or Level 2 gowns.
What's the difference between a surgical mask and an N95 respirator?
Surgical and procedure masks are loose-fitting and protect against splashes, sprays, and large respiratory droplets, and they help keep the wearer's own respiratory droplets contained. They're rated by ASTM F2100 levels based on fluid resistance and filtration. N95 respirators are NIOSH-approved, fit tightly to the face, and filter at least 95 percent of airborne particles, which makes them the standard for airborne precautions. Under OSHA's Respiratory Protection Standard, employees who wear N95s for protection generally need to be medically cleared and fit tested.
What PPE is needed for contact, droplet, and airborne precautions?
Contact precautions typically require gowns and gloves when entering the room or having contact with the resident or their surroundings. Droplet precautions typically require a surgical or procedure mask, often with eye protection such as goggles or a face shield. Airborne precautions require a fit-tested N95 or higher-level respirator. Many infections call for a combination of these precautions, so follow CDC guidance and your facility's infection prevention policy for each condition.
What should we look for in a hand sanitizer for healthcare use?
The CDC recommends alcohol-based hand sanitizers containing at least 60 percent alcohol for healthcare settings. Look for formulas with moisturizers, since frequent use can dry and crack skin and staff are less likely to use products that irritate their hands. Hand sanitizer is effective against many germs, but soap and water handwashing is preferred when hands are visibly soiled and when caring for residents with C. difficile or norovirus.
Where should hand sanitizer dispensers be placed in a nursing home?
Hand sanitizer dispensers work best at the point of care, such as at the entrance to each resident room, near beds, at nursing stations, and in dining and common areas, so staff can clean their hands without leaving the resident. Placement of alcohol-based sanitizer dispensers in corridors and near ignition sources is also subject to fire and life safety code requirements, so confirm placement with your facilities team. Refills should be matched to the dispenser system installed.
How do we choose a surface disinfectant for resident rooms and equipment?
Choose an EPA-registered disinfectant with label claims against the pathogens your facility is concerned about, and pay close attention to contact time, the amount of time the surface must stay wet to be effective. Ready-to-use disinfectant wipes are convenient for cleaning shared equipment such as blood pressure cuffs, wheelchairs, and bedside tables between residents. For C. difficile, look for products on the EPA's List K. Confirm the disinfectant is compatible with the equipment surfaces you'll be cleaning.
What are skin preps used for?
Skin preps are antiseptic products used to clean the skin before injections, blood draws, IV starts, and other procedures that break the skin. Common options include alcohol prep pads, povidone-iodine swabs, and chlorhexidine (CHG) products. The appropriate prep depends on the procedure and your facility's clinical protocols.
What sterilization supplies do facilities need?
Facilities and clinics that reprocess reusable instruments in an autoclave typically need sterilization pouches or wraps, indicator tape, and chemical and biological indicators to confirm each load reached sterilization conditions. Instruments should be cleaned before sterilization, and indicators should be used and documented according to the sterilizer manufacturer's instructions and your facility's policy.
How much PPE should a facility keep on hand for an outbreak?
PPE needs can rise sharply during outbreaks of respiratory illness, norovirus, or other infections, especially when multiple residents are on transmission-based precautions. Facilities can estimate needs by tracking how many gowns, gloves, masks, and respirators they use per day under normal conditions and during past outbreaks, then planning a reserve based on that usage. Reviewing PPE inventory before respiratory season helps avoid shortages when demand spikes.
Can we order PPE and infection control supplies through EDI or a punchout catalog?
Yes. Geriatric Medical supports EDI ordering and punchout catalog integration for accounts that manage purchasing through their own procurement, EHR, or ERP systems, so PPE and infection control supplies can be ordered the same way as the rest of your catalog without manual re-entry.