Resmed AirSense 11
Why Should You Replace CPAP Supplies?
When using CPAP therapy to treat your sleep apnea, it is important to replace your supplies on a regular basis for these 3 reasons:
- Wear and Tear
- CPAP masks are made of medical grade silicon. This material will degrade over time, becoming stiff and/or cracking.
- The mask seal will become loose and not inflate as well.
- The headgear straps become loose due scalp oils and the daily tension on the elastic, resulting in air leaks, which then leads to tightening the fit and further stretching.
All the above leads to less than optimal sleep therapy as well as potential skin irritation.
- Microbial Contamination
- Replacing and cleaning the filters prolongs the life of the machine by keeping dust and allergens out and enhancing the purity of the air you breathe. Inhalation of bacteria leads to other health issues.
- A 2009 Harvard study showed that the older a mask gets, the less effective regular cleaning becomes. The study surmised that a "biofilm" of microscopic debris adheres to the mask and headgear breeding bacteria, fungi and potentially yeast. The silicone surface becomes pitted and resistant to disinfection over time.
Study Conclusion: After 6-months of CPAP use, masks were swabbed and cultured before washing showing a growth of >2000 colonies (bacteria) per dish at 48-hours. Following washing, the masks were again swabbed and cultured and there was no significant reduction in colonies. The study found masks, tubing and water chambers, regardless of disinfection method/frequency following 6-month’s use, cannot be properly cleaned and need to be replaced.
- More attention needs to be paid to the daily cleaning and 6-month replacement of the CPAP mask and headgear as they come in contact with the skin, mouth and nasal airway.
- Insurance Coverage
Many people replace their CPAP supplies as often as their insurance company will pay for them. The insurance industry is on-board supporting the 6-month replacement of CPAP supplies as they believe it enhances optimal sleep therapy – better sleep contributes to the improvement of their insureds overall health.
To receive proper CPAP therapy, achieve the maximum lifespan of your supplies and reduce contamination needs to be cleaned on a regular basis . . .
Recommended Cleaning Instructions
Daily: Wipe mask with a warm damp cloth (or use a CPAP mask wipe)
Empty and set out water chamber to dry
Drain excess water from tubing and hang to dry
Weekly: Soak mask, headgear, tubing and water chamber
in warm soapy water for 15 minutes then let air dry
Monthly: Rinse out reusable filter with warm water
Replace disposable filter (more frequently if discolored)
Wipe down CPAP machine with damp cloth
Liberty Oxygen and Medical Equipment recommends that at a minimum of every 6 months all CPAP supplies be replaced with the exception of disposable filters (as listed below). Most insurance companies follow Medicare guidelines and will pay to replace various supplies more frequently. The following is the most common schedule to replace CPAP supplies (this can vary by insurance company):
CPAP Accessory Replacement Frequency
Tubing Every 3 months
Mask only (not headgear) Every 3 months
Cushions 1-2 per month
Headgear Every 6 months
Chinstrap Every 6 months
Disposable Filter 2 per month
Non-Disposable Filter Every 6 months
Humidifier Water Chamber Every 6 months
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