As we face the ever-changing circumstances related to COVID-19, we find ourselves having to make unprecedented decisions about business as usual. The truth is that, at this moment, there is no business as usual. Amid this uncertainly, our focus is on getting our team members, communities and business safely through this crisis so that all emerge fit to face the future together.
Given what we know today, we believe it is our duty as an ethical business to do what we can to slow the spread of this virus and minimize the impact on our hardworking healthcare professionals.
We have decided to voluntarily close QuinTron on March 20th at 3:00 PM Central Time and will remain closed until the situation changes.
Because the manufacturing and servicing of our products are performed by hand, this closure will impact our manufacturing and distribution of products. We are working through how we can best support our employees through these changes, ensuring regular pay for all team members during this period.
For the time being, we have decided to continue communication with our customers via e-mail at sales@quintron-usa.com.
With reduced capacity across the business, responses may require extra time and we appreciate your understanding and patience with our teams. If you have open orders with us, we will do our best to ship these to you before closure. However, backorders and extended delivery dates may occur.
WE RECOMMEND:

Suspend breath testing until further notice
Effective immediately, we recommend that you suspend all breath tests until the coronavirus pandemic is over. They are elective procedures. There is also a small chance of respiratory cross-contamination during testing.
Here are guidelines for medical personnel operating QuinTron breath test analyzers:
QuinTron medical devices are not sold sterile and are not meant to be cleaned internally. As a precaution, the person operating the analyzer may wear a mask and gloves while doing so. The dust barrier on the front panel of the instrument is a 0.2-micron hydrophilic filter that is not intended to have a bactericidal and viricidal function. We recommend cleaning the outside of the analyzer, especially around the Sample In port, with a disinfectant wipe (such as Lysol, Clorox, etc.) after each use.
If a patient tests positive for the coronavirus, we recommend replacing the entire Patient Sample Drying Tube itself (including the BreathPrep and foam filter plugs used in the drying tube) since this is what is capturing the moisture in the breath. We also recommend replacing the dust barrier on the Sampler In port on the BreathTracker.
If your medical practice is using EasySampler tubes, then the moisture is captured on the side of the tube itself.  In this case, we recommend replacing the dust barrier and vial adapter on the AlveoVac and wiping it down with a disinfectant wipe.
If your medical practice has received an EasySampler kit from a patient who has tested positive for coronavirus or is suspected to have it, we recommend that you throw away their kit instead of attempting to analyze it. Have the patient repeat the test after he or she is well.
Always follow the guidelines from your infection control committee. These are the same guidelines and recommendations we follow when a patient has tested positive for influenza.
As the situation surrounding COVID-19 rapidly changes, we will continue to evolve our response to it. This is unchartered territory for many of us. Please remember to be kind and do what you can as individuals to protect what every one of us values above all—one another.
And for those of you out there providing essential services who do not have the option of shutting your doors, we truly appreciate you.
Eric Hamilton, President
QuinTron Instrument Company, Inc.
sales@quintron-usa.com