Understanding CPAP and BIPAP care for your patients

Many of our patients use a CPAP or BIPAP to sleep.  Not everyone is unhappy with their CPAP or BIPAP. What complications can these devices cause? What should we be informing these people about?
The CPAP/BIPAP needs to have some strict protocols or there may be respiratory distress caused by them.  Here are a few things that must be followed:

1. The machine filter should be changed every two weeks (this keeps particles in the air from being sucked into the machine). Not changing this will cause the machine to break or at a minimum not work as well. It will also gain bacteria in the filter and be forced into the breathing.
2. The hoses need to be washed weekly and changed out every three months. These hoses have ridges and harbor bacteria and viruses, humidified ones are the worst.
3. The Mask needs to be washed right before use with soap and water or a Clorox wipe. This includes all surfaces inside and outside the mask and the tubing that connects it. Not cleaning the mask will lead to tissue irritation and respiratory distress. Masks should be replaced every 3-6 months.
4. A morning bite repositioner is advised. The bite may change from the use of a CPAP or BIPAP and only a bite repositioner will help prevent this.  Dynaflex lab makes a nice repositioner for your patients.

I never try to talk people out of a CPAP/BIPAP. I make an oral appliance for sleep only if they do not like their device or can’t wear it.  What I like to do is make sure my patients are using the device correctly and keeping it in good condition and safe.
If you want to purchase supplies for the CPAP/BIPAP to sell to your patients at a reduced price you can contact the manufactures like Resmed and Phillips and be a DME for these parts.
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