On 6/14/2021, Philips Respironics a leading CPAP manufacturer issued a recall notice on their CPAP machines. According to Philips this issue has affected 0.03% of patients on their CPAP machines.
There are only 2 large CPAP manufacturers , Philips and Resmed. Having a large recall on 1 manufacturer, especially during a pandemic has created a CPAP machine shortage. Resmed machines are not affected at this time.
Philips is working to replace ALL affected machines.
Please visit this site and register your CPAP for replacement.
Vancouver Sleep Center’s view on this.
Philips has indicated that in high ambient temperature situations and in patients who use Ozone based cleaners such as SoClean, the sound abatement foam used in the CPAP machine can break-down. This results in small particles inhaled by patients and can cause short and long term health problems.
Short term: Cough, shortness of breath, nasal secretion, chest pain, and sinus headaches.
Long term: Unknown , although foam is noted to be a cancer causing.
We need to balance risk vs benefit in this situation.
Risk:
Untreated severe sleep apnea can cause sleepiness while driving and motor vehicle accidents. It can cause heart arrhythmia in patients with know heart rhythm problems and coronary artery disease. It can make surgeries unsafe.
Inhaling foam particles may increase long term cancer risk.
Recommendation: (note, this is our opinion and will change based on more information).
- If you have an older Resmed/Fisher-Paykel machine, please switch back to it.
- If you have mild – Moderate sleep apnea without excessive daytime sleepiness, then STOP using your machine. Call the clinic.
- If you are a pilot/ CDL operator and are mandated to using CPAP , Call us, so we can get you 1st in line for a machine.
- If you have severe sleep apnea, consider staying on your machine.
- If you have underlying known heart disease, consider staying on your machine.
- If you have COPD, consider staying on your machine.
- STOP using any ozone based CPAP cleaner.
- If in doubt, call Vancouver Sleep Center.
Call us
Mill Plain Vancouver
Salmon Creek location (inside Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center)
American Academy of Sleep Medicine – Association for Sleep Clinicians and Researchers
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