The following is a message from the
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
With the rising numbers of elderly populations and
those with chronic health issues, the Home
Healthcare field has expanded significantly
within the United States.
Hi, I'm Rick Foucheux, speaking on behalf of the
Food and Drug Administration.
Patients are becoming more and more dependent on
medical technology to maintain or improve their
quality of life in order to live as independently
as possible.
But they may have difficulties handling and
maintaining their devices, as well as understanding
the instructions on how to use them.
These factors, along with using devices in different
settings - at home, at work, traveling, out in
the yard, etc. - can jeopardize patient safety.
So, here are some helpful tips for anyone using a
CPAP or caring for someone who does.
The CPAP, or Continuous Positive Airway Pressure
device, is a widely used device that can often be
problematic to operate, clean and maintain.
It's used for people who have breathing problems,
typically at night, which is commonly known as
"obstructive sleep apnea".
It occurs when soft tissue in the back of your throat
collapses and keeps you from breathing normally.
How your face mask fits can affect the quality of
your treatment.
If the mask is too tight, you may get sores around
your mouth and nose.
If the mask fits loosely, air can leak out, causing
your sleep to be disrupted.
So, if you have problems with a mask that's either
too tight or too loose, try adjusting the strap
that fits around your head.
If you're anxious about wearing a mask for
treatment, contact your healthcare provider.
They may recommend additional supervised
training or adjustment in the size or model of your
device.
Never secure the straps of the face mask too tightly
on your face, and never use tape to seal the mask
to your face.
And of course, keep your mask clean!
It'll fit much better if it is.
Be sure to clean the humidification chamber,
too, since bacteria could grow inside of it.
And hang your hose up between uses so all the
condensed water vapor drains out and the hose
can properly dry.
Using detergents that contain conditioners or
moisturizers to clean your face mask may cause
residue buildup, so follow your manufacturer's
recommendations in the labeling or package insert
about the daily care and storage of your device.
The CPAP's filters also need to be cleaned.
Washable foam filters need to be cleaned as soon as
you can see any discoloration.
The filters may need to be cleaned or replaced
frequently, even on a weekly basis, if you have
a lot of pet hair, dust, smoke, or humidity in your
home, so follow your manufacturer's
recommendations for how to replace any disposable
filters.
And, of course, children should never play with
your CPAP!
They could misuse it, change the settings, or
get the device dirty - all of which could cause a
potential hazard to the device or to themselves.
It's important to explain to any child that this
device is not a toy.
Now, the CPAP is prescribed to deliver a
certain amount of air flow into your body.
This is called the pressure.
Never attempt to change the pressure that your
CPAP delivers.
The pressure is prescribed by your healthcare
provider and is directly related to your care.
If you feel that that the pressure is too little or
too much, contact your health care provider to
discuss any changes in the prescribed pressure.
And contact your health-care provider as
soon as possible if your breathing problems
continue or worsen - but DO NOT stop using your
CPAP until you talk with your healthcare provider.
Knowing how to operate and maintain your CPAP device
is essential, so always keep the following
information about your device available:
The correct name of your device.
The name of the manufacturer of your device
Contact information for your healthcare provider or
distributor of the device and support systems in place
for emergencies (loss of power, battery failure, or
malfunctions.
If you have any problems, report them to your
healthcare provider, the manufacturer, and the Food
and Drug Administration.
You can call FDA's Medwatch program at
1-800-FDA-1088.
FDA receives reports of device problems and will
take any action if needed.
You can report online by completing the consumer
form found at www.fda.gov/medwatch
or through the home
use devices website at www.fda.gov/homeusedevices
Thank you.