Short answer: Saskatchewan clinics buying surgical masks in bulk should order by ASTM F2100 level and by case count, not by box. A Level 3 case of 250 masks costs less per mask than five single boxes and removes the weekly reorder, which suits a site that goes through a box a week. The level is set by the procedure mix, so most clinics stock two levels rather than one.
CliniEco supplies a 
3-ply ASTM Level 3 mask in a 250-mask case — the same product also listed as a 250-mask case (5 boxes × 50) — for procedure rooms on Level 3, with a lighter level on hand for reception or administrative areas.
Where can a Saskatchewan clinic buy surgical masks in bulk?
Ask for the ASTM level, the case count, the box count inside the case, and the expiry or shelf-life statement. A distributor that quotes only a price per box is making the buyer do the arithmetic; a case-level quote lets a practice manager compare landed cost per mask without opening a spreadsheet.
- Level 1 — low fluid contact, short procedures, reception and waiting areas.
- Level 2 — examination and routine procedure rooms, the default for most clinics.
- Level 3 — splash and spray risk, longer procedures, higher fluid volumes.
- Case structure — five boxes of 50 (250 masks) is the common Level 3 case.
How many masks does a clinic use in a month?
| Setting | Masks per day | Masks per month (22 days) | Cases of 250 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Two-chair dental clinic | 25 to 35 | 550 to 770 | 3 |
| Four-physician family practice | 40 to 60 | 880 to 1,320 | 4 to 6 |
| Walk-in clinic, single site | 60 to 90 | 1,320 to 1,980 | 6 to 8 |
| 60-bed long-term care home | 80 to 120 | 1,760 to 2,640 | 8 to 11 |
What do the ASTM F2100 levels actually measure?
The standard tests bacterial filtration efficiency, particle filtration efficiency at 0.1 micrometre, differential pressure (how hard the mask is to breathe through) and resistance to synthetic blood at a set pressure. Level 1, 2 and 3 step up the fluid resistance requirement, which is why a Level 3 mask is the right choice where splashes are likely and the wrong choice for a waiting room where comfort and cost matter more. A mask marked only as a procedure mask without a level has not been classified to the standard.
What should a bulk order include besides masks?
Most clinics ordering masks in case quantities also consolidate gloves, gowns and sterilization consumables on the same purchase order to reduce freight. Set a par level of four to six weeks and reorder when the open case is half empty; mask demand spikes with respiratory season, and a two-week buffer disappears in a bad January.
Download the printable PPE par level sheet, run the clinic self-check before an accreditation visit, and ask a compliance specialist if mask use varies by procedure. Clinics evaluating monitoring consumables can request a 5-pack biological indicator sample with the same order.
Related reading
Saskatchewan clinic supply ordering: case counts for gloves and pouches; How many mediums a Canadian clinic actually uses; sterilization compliance hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which ASTM level should a Saskatchewan clinic order?
Level 2 covers most examination and procedure room use; Level 3 adds fluid resistance for splash-prone procedures, and Level 1 suits short, low-fluid contact.
How many masks are in a case?
Case counts vary by line: 250 masks for a five-box Level 3 case, and 500 for a 2-ply case of ten boxes.
Do masks need to be stored a certain way?
Keep them in the closed box, dry, away from sunlight and solvents, and rotate stock so the oldest box is opened first.
CliniEco Medical is a licensed medical device establishment (MDEL #35334).
Ordering for a clinic, lab or care home? Wholesale and multi-site ordering covers case pricing and account setup, and the B2B wholesale collection lists the lines stocked for institutional buyers. Reselling? become a distributor.
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