Concerns: Having Surgery, Taking CPAP

[brightcrow]

In two days I'm having surgery, which may or may not include an overnight hospital stay. They've told me to bring my CPAP to use while under anesthesia, and in recovery. They tell me a respiratory therapist will set it up. I use an Auto-CPAP.

I am very careful to keep my CPAP clean, and am concerned that in a hospital setting my equipment will be contaminated with dangerous bacteria. When I return home it will be a day or two before I can do a thorough cleaning and vinegar soak.

I'm concerned they will not understand how an Auto-CPAP work, and that they will change my settings. I do not want someone messing with my settings because I will not have my wits about me when I return home and will be in no shape to reconfigure my settings.

What can I do to avoid these problems? I can tell every intake person on the morning of surgery, but the message will never get to the person handling my equipment, I'm sure.

What have been your experiences with this?

[4kidsmom]

I have seen a lot of people on here mention having a second "backup" machine. If you happen to have one, take that one. That way, you don't have to worry about the germs until you are better able to handle it. As for the settings, you may have more trouble than normal while under anesthesia. It may be, that your needs are not met during that time with your normal settings. I had my gallbladder out, and after getting home, both my breathing and pulse completely stopped. If not for a lot of things being exactly how they were, I would not have survived it. Having to change your settings is inconvienent, but if it has to be done, it's because you mattered, and they were doing their best to help you.

[library lady]

I doubt very much that they will change your settings, but if they do it will be because you need a different setting due to anesthesia, but it can always be changed back, as 4kidsmom said. With a recent procedure I had done, they didn't even use it, though they had me bring it so that if needed, it would be there. The hospital is the very last place that I would expect it to be contaminated. Hospitals are always taking care not to contaminate things. Don't obsess about it, it's not worth it. You and your machine will be just fine.

[Julie]

Ask to talk to the anesthetist prior to surgery, and the charge nurse who'll be in Recovery so you can explain whatever you want. You WON'T have cpap in surgery because you'll have 02 delivered the whole time (the anesth. will confirm it). Many people use cpap now and I wouldn't be so concerned at this point, but check first with the above - occasionally a hospital will not want you to bring your own machine because they might have trouble keeping track of it, and/or want to be sure you do get the appropriate treatment according to medical personnel - I'm sure there are people who bring in machines that have been set inadequately or something and the hospital wants you to get good treatment.

You can always use wipes, etc. on your machine at home, but again, the air in your place is not necessarily any safer than that in a given hospital, regardless of the scare stories you see and hear.

[palerider]

In two days I'm having surgery, which may or may not include an overnight hospital stay. They've told me to bring my CPAP to use while under anesthesia, and in recovery. They tell me a respiratory therapist will set it up. I use an Auto-CPAP.

I am very careful to keep my CPAP clean, and am concerned that in a hospital setting my equipment will be contaminated with dangerous bacteria. When I return home it will be a day or two before I can do a thorough cleaning and vinegar soak.

I wouldn't worry about it. contamination in hospitals is more often on the surface of things, from people that didn't change their gloves, than floating around the air. and, honestly, vinegar isn't 'all that' or hospitals and doctors offices would be using it.

I'm concerned they will not understand how an Auto-CPAP work, and that they will change my settings. I do not want someone messing with my settings because I will not have my wits about me when I return home and will be in no shape to reconfigure my settings.

unlikely. they may not even know how to get into the settings on your machine.

[greatunclebill]

have the doctor write in your orders that you are permitted to use your own cpap. then have the person with you, bring your cpap into the room after surgery when you get to your room. inform the nurse that you have your cpap that your doctor said you could use and see where it goes from there. you don't need it during surgery and recovery and probably wouldn't be permitted to bring it there because it is non-sterile, etc. too many liability issues for the hospital.

[svo]

..I recently (2 months ago) had surgery on my leg (PAD bypass) and I brought my machine to the hospital, which I used on my stay overnight.....hospital took my equipment and returned it quickly with a stamp..I believe that the techs wanted to make sure I was not going to blow up the hospital...used it that night in the hospital and nothing was touch...no machine was used in surgery or recovery..all went well...good luck....

[Okie bipap]

When I had back surgery last summer, I took my machine with me, but it was not used until I got to my room. I used it at night while I was there (three nights). The hospital had water available to use in the machine.

[brazospearl]

The hospital has a procedure in place for patients who bring their caps. When my sister had surgery several years ago, they checked her machine (typical for safety), then I put it back in it's case until my sister needed it after she was moved to her room. Please try not to worry about dangerous bacteria on your machine; it won't be handled by hospital personnel too much.

I hope the surgery goes well and you have a quick recovery.

[brightcrow]

It's likely to be handled only by staff, not me, while I'm in recovery. I'll probably go home later the same day without an overnight stay. I will mention my concerns to the anesthesiologist and ask to speak to the recovery nurse too. Thank you.

[avi123]

A year ago I had a serious surgery and had to stay in the hospital a week before the surgery and a week after the surgery I did not use my APAP at all even though I had it with me. Do you think that those nurses and the physician on duty don't know how to make you go to sleep without the CPAP? Of course they do.

[LSAT]

A year ago I had a serious surgery and had to stay in the hospital a week before the surgery and a week after the surgery I did not use my APAP at all even though I had it with me. Do you think that those nurses and the physician on duty don't know how to make you go to sleep without the CPAP? Of course they do.

Wierd...Wierd...Wierd....You didn't use your CPAP because the nurses knew how to make you go to sleep without it?

[palerider]

A year ago I had a serious surgery and had to stay in the hospital a week before the surgery and a week after the surgery I did not use my APAP at all even though I had it with me. Do you think that those nurses and the physician on duty don't know how to make you go to sleep without the CPAP? Of course they do.

Wierd...Wierd...Wierd....You didn't use your CPAP because the nurses knew how to make you go to sleep without it?

not weird, just avi, and his detachment from reality.

[Sir NoddinOff]

A year ago I had a serious surgery and had to stay in the hospital a week before the surgery and a week after the surgery I did not use my APAP at all even though I had it with me. Do you think that those nurses and the physician on duty don't know how to make you go to sleep without the CPAP? Of course they do.

Wierd...Wierd...Wierd....You didn't use your CPAP because the nurses knew how to make you go to sleep without it?

not weird, just avi, and his detachment from reality.

Probably avi123 is alluding to sleeping pills, maybe even heavy-duty opioids. Being avi123, they probably had him sedated for the better part of every day and night That said avi, I hope you heal up fast and get back on CPAP.

[chunkyfrog]

Some might do that, even if it was not medically indicated.