A Medical Device Establishment Licence (MDEL) is a Health Canada licence that importers, distributors and manufacturers must hold to sell Class I medical devices such as gloves, masks and gauze in Canada. Hospitals, long-term care homes, clinics, dental offices and home-care agencies that buy devices for their own use do not need an MDEL. Class II to IV devices additionally require a Medical Device Licence for the product itself. When buying, confirm the seller lists a Health Canada licence number for the device, which Chicken Pieces shows on medical product pages.

An N95 respirator, such as the 3M 8210, 8200 or 1860, is a NIOSH-approved filter that removes at least 95 percent of airborne particles and seals to the face, with a fit factor of 100 or more confirmed by annual fit testing. A surgical or procedure mask, such as the 3M 1818 or ASTM Level 1 to 3 masks, blocks fluid splashes and large droplets from the wearer but does not seal, so it does not protect against fine aerosols. Health-care settings use N95s for airborne precautions and Level 2 or 3 masks for routine care. Both are sold by the box and case.

Incontinence absorbency is rated by how many millilitres of fluid a product holds. Light protection pads hold about 250 mL, moderate briefs and pull-ups 500 to 1,000 mL, heavy briefs 1,500 to 2,500 mL, and maximum overnight briefs 3,000 to 6,000 mL. Drop icons on packaging are not standardized between brands, so compare the mL rating. Sizing is by waist or hip measurement, not weight, and a brief that is too large leaks at the legs. Care homes typically stock a daytime moderate brief and a separate overnight maximum brief per resident.

Standard floor and ceiling patient lifts are rated for 400 to 500 lb (180 to 227 kg) and bariatric lifts for 600 to 1,000 lb. Slings carry their own rating, which must meet or exceed the lift and the patient: standard slings are 300 to 500 lb, bariatric slings 450 to 1,000 lb. Slings are chosen by task as well as size: full-body slings for non-weight-bearing residents, toileting slings with a commode opening, and standing slings for sit-to-stand lifts. Chicken Pieces stocks lifts rated 400 to 700 lb and matching slings in small to extra large.

Health Canada classifies medical devices from Class I (lowest risk) to Class IV (highest). Class I covers gloves, gauze, bandages, wheelchairs, walkers and most incontinence products; these need an MDEL for the seller but no product licence. Class II covers N95 respirators, surgical masks, thermometers, most patient lifts and blood pressure monitors; these require a Medical Device Licence number issued to the manufacturer. Class III and IV are implants and life-supporting devices. The class determines what documentation a facility should ask for and is stated in the Health Canada Medical Devices Active Licence Listing.

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