simplicity of cleaning PBGK compared to Respironics Remstar

Flower51 · Post by **Flower51** » Mon Jul 11, 2005 9:18 pm

I was cruising the board and noticed some comments re the PBGK's design that seemed to indicate it can be a nuisance to clean.

For those of you who have either the PBGKauto or the Respironics Remstar auto, both w/heated humidifiers, whats your exp been?

For those of you who've used both (I know that's you rg!), which do you find easier to maintain when cleaning?

What I saw on the board was that the hose for the PBGK has some little tubing sensors that cannot get wet and make it a pain to clean and the humidifier can be difficult to remove and replace for cleaning.

The Remstar auto the dme loaned me is simple as pie to clean the hose...no little pieces and parts to worry about keeping dry or worry about misplacing or clogging, and the humidifier. though it can take some strength to open, is pretty simple in design. Whats the story on the PB? I was all set to choose that one till I read some of these posts re hose cleaning, etc........ T

chrisp · Post by **chrisp** » Mon Jul 11, 2005 9:26 pm

I don't clean the hose or the humidifier. Ever ! It just doesn't get dirty. I use distilled water. I do clean the filter on my 420E.

:twis ted:

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Mon Jul 11, 2005 10:33 pm

Flower, the PB 420E's hose is no problem to clean. Little plugs are supplied with it. Just plug the ends of the sensor tube that runs the full length of the main air hose. If you lose one of the little plugs, a golf tee will plug it fine.

It's a very quick, minor step to take...plugging the little sensor tube. Hey, if you forget to plug it or accidentally get water in the little sensor tube, no big deal. The sensor tube does need to be dry for the machine to work, but it's easy enough to dry it if you were to get water in the little tube. Just blowing into one end of the little tube usually clears a few water droplets out fine. If not, point a hair dryer (on cool) at one end for several minutes. If you have a can of pressurized air for blowing dust out of a computer, that would take care of any water droplets too, I'd think.

I'm with Chris, though - use distilled water in any humidifier and relax. I personally think it's more important to tend to the filters in any of these machines than it is to get concerned about cleaning humidifiers and hoses that have nothing more than clean distilled water going through them.

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 12:59 am

Although a newbie, I too have adopted the approach of using purchased distilled water & leaving the hose to hang over the bedpost.

I just keep topping up the water before going to bed.

I took this approach after a lot of reading here & it makes sense to me (plus it seems the easiest one too )

But, Each week end I plan to flush the tube & water container with the recommended mixture.

Cheers

DSM

Flower51Terry · Post by **Flower51Terry** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 6:55 am

Thanks for the feedback. When my rt first dropped off the 2 wk remstar auto, she said to take apart the humidifier EVERY day and wash the Nasal Aire II tubing and prongs EVERY day in soapy water, and the main hose and filter once a week.

I even called her to double check after reading some posts here re humidifier cleaning....she said very emphatically that bacteria will grow in the humidifier if its not taken apart and cleaned every day. I'm sure she's only saying what she has been taught is the way to do it, not having personal exp re the care and feeding of the machine herself. Terry

mikemoran · Post by **mikemoran** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 10:47 am

Guys I think you do have to consider emptying the humidifier every day and letting it air dry. You are dealing with a humid environment which is not sealed and that you are breathing into. You have to expect some of your air getting back down the hose to the humidifier. A perfect breeding ground for bacteria. You may not have to clean it everyday but you do need to empty the swamp.

gailzee · Post by **gailzee** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 8:22 pm

Cleaning seems to come up every so often. I have the PB 420E. I wash the nasal pillow (swift) pieces DAILY. I just prefer to put something clean back into my nose than NOT. I wash the head pc and chin strap (which is a pc of garbage-but I do use it) 2x's a wk. My routine has gotten that I wash out the hose on Saturday morning. No special reason, just got into a habit. I wash out the humidifier tank abou 3x's a wk. I figure if we wear clean underwear (let's hope), then I keep my swifty/PB/GK clean as well. Keep an ionizier on the in the bedroom and of course, only only only use Distilled water.

It only takes a few minutes, and once I got into the habit, I even followed my cleaning regime after using my machine/overnight in the hospital (germ pit).

So far this schedule has worked for me. IMHO .
[quote="Flower51 Terry"]I was cruising the board and noticed some comments re the PBGK's design that seemed to indicate it can be a nuisance to clean.

For those of you who have either the PBGKauto or the Respironics Remstar auto, both w/heated humidifiers, whats your exp been?

For those of you who've used both (I know that's you rg!), which do you find easier to maintain when cleaning?

What I saw on the board was that the hose for the PBGK has some little tubing sensors that cannot get wet and make it a pain to clean and the humidifier can be difficult to remove and replace for cleaning.

The Remstar auto the dme loaned me is simple as pie to clean the hose...no little pieces and parts to worry about keeping dry or worry about misplacing or clogging, and the humidifier. though it can take some strength to open, is pretty simple in design. Whats the story on the PB? I was all set to choose that one till I read some of these posts re hose cleaning, etc........ T

gailzee · Post by **gailzee** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 8:26 pm

I forgot, as a guard against the humidifier sitting all day and with the warming element underneath taking a longer period of time to ''cool down'' I might add, I have taken to removing the water reservoir completely from the humidifier and letting it sit on my night stand separate from the machine. When I undo the bed evening time, I push it back into place, shove the hose in, and reconnect my nasal pillow at that time.

[quote="Flower51 Terry"]I was cruising the board and noticed some comments re the PBGK's design that seemed to indicate it can be a nuisance to clean.

For those of you who have either the PBGKauto or the Respironics Remstar auto, both w/heated humidifiers, whats your exp been?

For those of you who've used both (I know that's you rg!), which do you find easier to maintain when cleaning?

What I saw on the board was that the hose for the PBGK has some little tubing sensors that cannot get wet and make it a pain to clean and the humidifier can be difficult to remove and replace for cleaning.

The Remstar auto the dme loaned me is simple as pie to clean the hose...no little pieces and parts to worry about keeping dry or worry about misplacing or clogging, and the humidifier. though it can take some strength to open, is pretty simple in design. Whats the story on the PB? I was all set to choose that one till I read some of these posts re hose cleaning, etc........ T

chrisp · Post by **chrisp** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 8:45 pm

[quote="mikemoran"]Guys I think you do have to consider emptying the humidifier every day and letting it air dry. You are dealing with a humid environment which is not sealed and that you are breathing into. You have to expect some of your air getting back down the hose to the humidifier. A perfect breeding ground for bacteria. You may not have to clean it everyday but you do need to empty the swamp.

LOL Mike. I confess that I have huge lungs. I can stop the cpap if I exhale really hard. ... I still don't think my breath makes it all the way down the 6 foot hose and into the humidifier tank.... Now that would be a feat.

jdacal · Post by **jdacal** » Wed Jul 13, 2005 6:41 pm

The humidifer for the remstar is dishwasher safe. I bought two. Once a week I swap them and take one apart and put it in the dish washer for its next use.

Mask cushion I wash daily before going to bed, rest of mask about every 7 to 10 days.

Hose about once a month.

Im2tired · Post by **Im2tired** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 3:26 pm

I have a Respironics ConfortGel mask and I wash it every morning. At bed time it's not dry between the layers. Sometimes it's not enough to bother me but other times it is. RT told me not to dry it with a towel, I assume so you don't get fibers from the towel on it and have them blowing down your throat. Does anyone else have this problem?

I think they said to clean the humidifier once a week. I have had trouble figuring out how to take it apart. They said the plastic part just slides out from the metal bottom but it seems like I'll break it. I have to try it again. I have been using distilled water. Last time there was a funny smell and I realized I forgot to add water!

Flower51 Terry · Post by **Flower51 Terry** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 7:06 pm

Hi Laurie, I had a little trouble the first time taking apart the respironics humidifier too but after I did it once or twice its really pretty simple.

1. In order to remove it from the base it sits on in front of the autopap machine, push down on the humidifier box firmly and pull out straight towards you.

2. To take the metal bottom off of the plastic part you don't slide it off, you have to kind of pry it off at either of the ends with your fingers (empty out any water first or you'll get wet! LOL). This does take a little strength because it is a good seal. Don't worry you won't break the seal just using normal hand strength. There is a visible metal edge peeking out on two sides of the base which you put the pressure on and it will pop apart.

I have been washing it out w/warm soapy water along with my nasal cannula every day...just takes a quick minute and then let it air dry opened up till ready to use again.

I've decided on the Respironics Remstar....I just do way better w/as few parts as possible......simple is good in my case.

Terry

Flower51 Terry · Post by **Flower51 Terry** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 7:10 pm

To put the humidifier back on the machine:

Slide the edge into the base and push down as you slide it on. It will snug in quite nicely...make sure you push it in far enough so that the plastic opening at the top fits into the hole securely of the autopap. I didn't do this once and realized the humidifier wasn't working! T

Im2tired · Post by **Im2tired** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 10:07 pm

Thanks Terry - I was able to take it apart. Next time I'll do it over the sink instead of over my lap while I was sitting in front of the computer and getting y pant wet.

I was able to get the plastic part in and out of the humidifier and that's easier now that the 1st time.

Thanks again.

Laurie

simplicity of cleaning PBGK compared to Respironics Remstar

simplicity of cleaning PBGK compared to Respironics Remstar

Moi too

a clean machine

Re: simplicity of cleaning PBGK compared to Respironics Rems

Re: simplicity of cleaning PBGK compared to Respironics Rems

ps.