DME is hustling replacement parts

[Wulfman]

http://healthandenergy.com/mold.htm

Excerpts from that link:

Mold typically grows on organic materials that remain moist for more than 24 hours.

Molds require one or more organic nutrients. Because molds must absorb or transport their nutrients through the cell surface, they compete with bacteria for organic nutrients. Many molds have an advantage over the bacteria in this competition, because they can secrete digestive extra cellular enzymes such as cellulases. Thus they can degrade an otherwise insoluble organic substrate into its smaller soluble subunits, which they then absorb and use as sources of carbon and energy. This enables the molds to use carbon sources — including cellulose, lignin, and keratin (a common component of hair, nails, and feathers — that are unavailable to most other microorganisms.

Molds reproduce by spreading microscopic spores. Mold spores waft through the indoor and outdoor air continually. When mold spores land on damp organic material, such as wood, paper, feathers, hair, cellulose, petroleum products, rubber, carpet, etc., they may begin growing and digesting the material.

Some molds live in temperatures below freezing, and some like it as warm as 122° F. Molds primarily thrive and become a problem when the relative humidity level is above 60%, with temperatures between 50 and 90 degrees F. (10 to 32 degrees C.) and a pH from 3 to 8. Molds also tend to be more robust in poorly ventilated areas with little air movement to disrupt their growth.

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Personally, I'm not worried.

Den

[GaCRT]

Since I do work for a DME Company I do tell my patients that they can get new tubing and filters every 3 months as needed. I stress getting filters for the obvious reasons. I do suggest a new hose but only in case they break or crack as they tend to do. I do tell them to clean the hose out weekly at least for bacteria reasons. But it is ultimatly up to them. But it is always nice to have the extra's around in case they break or crack or do become dirty.

BTW the DME I work for is a small locally owned one. So while I understand the contempt for DME's do try and give us a chance at first.

[DreamStalker]

Dreamstalker reminds me of those angry old men on the golf course! lol

Nah! Not me ... have never played golf. I'm as happy as a flea on a dog ... or should that be as happy as a mold up your nose

Passionate, perhaps ... angry, not really.

[DreamStalker]

http://healthandenergy.com/mold.htm

Excerpts from that link:

Mold typically grows on organic materials that remain moist for more than 24 hours.

Molds require one or more organic nutrients. Because molds must absorb or transport their nutrients through the cell surface, they compete with bacteria for organic nutrients. Many molds have an advantage over the bacteria in this competition, because they can secrete digestive extra cellular enzymes such as cellulases. Thus they can degrade an otherwise insoluble organic substrate into its smaller soluble subunits, which they then absorb and use as sources of carbon and energy. This enables the molds to use carbon sources — including cellulose, lignin, and keratin (a common component of hair, nails, and feathers — that are unavailable to most other microorganisms.

Molds reproduce by spreading microscopic spores. Mold spores waft through the indoor and outdoor air continually. When mold spores land on damp organic material, such as wood, paper, feathers, hair, cellulose, petroleum products, rubber, carpet, etc., they may begin growing and digesting the material.

Some molds live in temperatures below freezing, and some like it as warm as 122° F. Molds primarily thrive and become a problem when the relative humidity level is above 60%, with temperatures between 50 and 90 degrees F. (10 to 32 degrees C.) and a pH from 3 to 8. Molds also tend to be more robust in poorly ventilated areas with little air movement to disrupt their growth.

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Personally, I'm not worried.

Den

Molds have been around long before humans ... before dinosuars even

So a couple of things to keep in mind:

... anything in excess can kill 'ya (yep that includes molds)
... but life itself is hazardous to your health too

I'm with Den, I got more important things to worry about ... not a whole lot of things, but more important ones.

[ozij]

Its a very bad idea to run anything through you hose, because it may leave lint it - and then who knows what will happen.

I'm with Den too....

O.

[rested gal]

Personally, I'm not worried.

Den

Nor I, either.

Since I do work for a DME Company I do tell my patients that they can get new tubing and filters every 3 months as needed. I stress getting filters for the obvious reasons. I do suggest a new hose but only in case they break or crack as they tend to do. I do tell them to clean the hose out weekly at least for bacteria reasons. But it is ultimatly up to them. But it is always nice to have the extra's around in case they break or crack or do become dirty.

That's sensible advice, GaCRT...about suggesting to your cpap users that they get at least one extra hose when eligible for a new one, so they have it as a backup. It's good to let people know when they could get replacement items, whether they decide to get them at that time or not.

BTW the DME I work for is a small locally owned one.

It's nice to hear from one of the "good'uns". Would that all DMEs were like you and several of the other "good" ones who post here sometimes.

So while I understand the contempt for DME's do try and give us a chance at first.

My guess is that most newly prescribed cpap users do give the DME their first business. The brick and mortar DMEs do have the first chance at it. Most newly diagnosed OSA people are probably shell-shocked by the diagnosis and are so unfamiliar with the idea of using a cpap machine and mask that they will put themselves completely in the hands of a DME. They don't know anything else to do than that. Most probably never look for a message board. And most wouldn't want to think about anything about their treatment other than how to turn the machine on.

If they're lucky, they'll wind up in the hands of a DME like the one you work for, GaCRT. But, as you've seen (probably "in real life" as well as in so many posts here) the level of practical help many people receive at the hands of too many DMEs seems to be woefully inadequate. That's further reflected in estimates of the drop out rate from cpap treatment being close to 50%.

Hang in here, GaCRT. We really do appreciate how "good" DME employees offer helpful suggestions to people. And it's always interesting to get a glimpse of how it is on the other side of the street. Even if a drive-by tries to block the view every once in a while.

[Slinky]

Hey, GaCRT, I second what RestedGal had to say and add an AMEN! You are more than welcome here. We're delighted to meet you! I'm always interest in what goes on "on the other side of the street". Having first encountered a "sheister" local DME supplier I am ever so grateful for my current GOOD local DME supplier.

[JZ]

That seems to be the name of the game here "CHASE THEM AWAY FROM BRICK AND MORTAR DME"S"

I personally doubt that the spirited discussions on cpaptalk.com have put much of a dent in the brick and mortar DME business. Probably the vast majority of us use a brick and mortar DME when it makes sense and works for us and use an online cpap supply company when that makes sense. It is true that DMEs get some harsh treatment from some forum members, sometimes deserved, sometimes not.

The wonderful thing about this wide open forum is that I can read that DreamStalker has not cleaned his hose in a year and a half and Oceanpearl gives the hose a daily cleaning. That leaves me in the position of having to take responsibility for determining what I will do. I have the opportunity to see what other forum members do, to talk with health care professionals, to consult my DME, to do some research, or just do whatever strikes my fancy.

If DreamStalker works for our host, they must be overpaying him. Instead of pushing products, he seems to spend most of his time sharing his knowledge and experience with people who come here seeking information. Despite my admiration for DreamStalker, I clean my hose once a week.

BTW, my DME said that even if one's cpap hose seems fine, you should get a new one about every six months because "they deteriorate on the inside." I responded with something intelligent like, "ummm", took my new hose and went on my way. In my head I was thinking, "I wonder if there is any truth to that or if the only deterioration going on would be to the DME's bottom line if they don't sell enough hoses." Guess I did not have the energy at the moment to quiz him, but I think the next chance I get, I will ask him to explain that "deterioration" process to me.

Janna

[Bert_Mathews]

http://healthandenergy.com/mold.htm

I received a "TON of Crap" when I posted this home made solution for cleaning/drying of a hose.........http://www.scientryst.com/hose

The REPLACEMENT HOSES are JUNQUE and make noise -- The ends stretch and don't have the holding power..
As for replacement my VOTE is "NO!" -but- having a backup a BIG PLUS.
NOT sure about MOLD or CRUD in the hose because it only has air that has passed through the FILTER / Hepa Filter? I do clean it about once a month and dry it JUST to be sure... Who ever suggested running a coat hinger into the hose is just looking for TROUBLE!


BERT

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): hose, Power, clean

[TGregg_Not_Logged_In]

Rather than supporting their cause, it seems like the fevered DME supporters make DMEs look even worse.

[sleepie]

i keep my humidifier water at ----PH-9------THEN I GET NO MOLD---

[DreamStalker]

... Who ever suggested running a coat hinger into the hose is just looking for TROUBLE!


BERT

That was oceanpearl ... and he wasn't suggesting a coat hanger in the hose. He was suggesting I run a coat hanger up my nose to see what comes out!

Soooo, I took his advice and as you can see, everything that came out was CLEAN ... also note that not a single mold was to be found

BTW - Since I never play golf, I finally found a good use for a golf club ... gets a lot more stuff out of my nose than a coat hanger



... and I found my old bike helmet too! Woo Hoo!!!

[rested gal]

omg, Roberto! ROTFL!!!

[Wulfman]

HEY!.......Can I have that Van Gogh painting? Should be worth some money.

I gave up golf over 30 years ago. Maybe I can use the clubs for something else......like pushing rags through the hose, to clean it.....although gun cleaning ramrods work pretty good for that, too. A little Hoppe's #9 in the hose should be just the aroma therapy that some of us hunters could use for peaceful sleep.

Den

[oceanpearl]

Every six days I clean my hoses with Dawn dishwashing liquid then soak them for an hour in a vinegar and water solution.
Not really being anal about anything. Just that I have known people with all kinds severe bronchial problems (not particulary from CPAP)and I AIN'T taking any chances with MY lungs. You can all do with yours as you choose.

Let's hope that Dreamstalker has better common sense than to wear a hose for a year without cleaning or replacing it.

"With both the CPAP humidifier and the room air humidifier proper care and cleaning reduces the risk of growing molds and bacteria. You breathe this humidified air into your lungs and some strains of bacteria can cause lung infections."

http://www.lung.ca/diseases-maladies/ap ... 1&month=11

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): hose, CPAP, clean