Help needed for my Mom

[rapturemls]

Hello, My Mom is currently in a Rehab facility for a broken leg. They will not allow her to have her Cpap machine. They say as per the CDC it is not allowed because of Covid-19. I have never heard of such a thing. She is 86 years old and has hear failure. I don't know who to contact or what to say to get this taken care of. Her Pulmonologist has not returned my Dad's phone calls and I live in another state and can not go there to help. Any assistance is greatly appreciated.

[Ejones0310]

Hello, My Mom is currently in a Rehab facility for a broken leg. They will not allow her to have her Cpap machine. They say as per the CDC it is not allowed because of Covid-19. I have never heard of such a thing. She is 86 years old and has hear failure. I don't know who to contact or what to say to get this taken care of. Her Pulmonologist has not returned my Dad's phone calls and I live in another state and can not go there to help. Any assistance is greatly appreciated.

I’ve edited my post to remove my reference to what I thought was a CDC document. It turned out to be a California Department of Corrections document. Wrong CDC. I’ve searched the CDC website for the terms CPAP and COVID together and found one document that listed CPAP in a table. I found nothing recommending that CPAPs not be used in hospitals or nursing facilities.

I don’t know if you are financially able to engage a lawyer, but that is one option. Another is to contact your US Senator and Representative to the House. Sometimes they will help.

I am sorry if my link to the wrong document caused you any grief. I hope you are able to get this resolved.

[rapturemls]

Thank you for your response. I guess all I can do is hope she heals quickly and gets back home.

[Pugsy]

CPAP machines can potentially spread Covid. It's because of the potential for her own exhaled breathe going out into the room air through the mask vent holes. Let's face it...minimal risk but a risk nonetheless especially if she shares a room with another resident.
Has your mom been tested to see if she has it or not?

In the meantime...have her sleep upright as much as possible. The head of the bed should elevate. Sleeping upright will help reduce the chance of the airway closing off as much. It's not perfect but it is something that can help.

[chunkyfrog]

It baffles me that someone has not come up with a filtering system,
so that exhaled air from the cpap is captured and filtered.
Something as simple as an old style oxygen tent, coupled with suctioning and filters.
Intake air should be drawn through a filter as well--to protect HER.

Yes, I am angry, too!

[rapturemls]

Yes, she was tested for Covid-19 before she was released to the rehab facility. She is in a double room, but she is alone. Sleeping upright is not an option for her as she has fractures in her spine. She also can not sleep on her side because of fibromyalgia. I just hope she makes it out of there alive!

[chunkyfrog]

I am so sorry this is happening to your family.
None of us can predict the future--just hope, and behave.
Saying a prayer for her--if that's OK.

[ChicagoGranny]

I looked up the CDCs stance on CPAP and COVID19. You can read it at this link.

https://www.cdcr.ca.gov/covid19/wp-cont ... stions.pdf

I’m not sure how this makes you feel, but it makes me so mad I want to strangle those at the CDC that think this!

I’m not sure who you can contact, but I wish you luck. Fighting city hall can be exasperating.

Check again!!! That's not the Centers for Disease Control. It's the California Department of Corrections!

[Ejones0310]

I looked up the CDCs stance on CPAP and COVID19. You can read it at this link.

https://www.cdcr.ca.gov/covid19/wp-cont ... stions.pdf

I’m not sure how this makes you feel, but it makes me so mad I want to strangle those at the CDC that think this!

I’m not sure who you can contact, but I wish you luck. Fighting city hall can be exasperating.

Check again!!! That's not the Centers for Disease Control. It's the California Department of Corrections!

Boy is my face red.

[rapturemls]

Thank you "Chunky Frog". She appreciates your prayers.

[Dog Slobber]

Ask them to provide the CDC's actual recommendations regarding CPAP.

It's not beyond them to make the same or similar CDC / CDCR mistake. A lot of us, went to the link and didn't spot error.

Check again!!! That's not the Centers for Disease Control. It's the California Department of Corrections!

Great catch granny!

[Pugsy]

Yep, good catch CG. I didn't even check the link.
Now I don't know if the skilled nursing facility may have set its own in house rules prohibiting cpap because of the vented air risk thing...and that's entirely possible.
But if she was tested negative.....but maybe they are just being extra careful.
This COVID thing has really screwed up a lot of things.

Hopefully she can get in and out of there quickly and go home to do the rest of her healing but if she also broke her back in the accident...she's got some problems and will need a lot of help. Tough position to be in for sure.
I don't know what I would do if that happened to my mom and she's not even on cpap. Any sort of nursing facility is the last place anyone wants to be right now.

[booksfan]

It baffles me that someone has not come up with a filtering system,
so that exhaled air from the cpap is captured and filtered.
Something as simple as an old style oxygen tent, coupled with suctioning and filters.
Intake air should be drawn through a filter as well--to protect HER.

Yes, I am angry, too!

Someone has. I got an email, I think it was last week. Circadiance has come out with a mask, the SleepWeaver Prevent.

From the email:
SleepWeaver® Prevent, which uses an integrated KN95 Mask to filter exhaled air, provides an additional level of isolation for CPAP/NIV patients with known or suspected respiratory infections. Circadiance is offering this new combination filter and CPAP mask to address the following concerns during the COVID-19 public health emergency:

Risks to healthcare personnel and visitors from PAP therapy in the clinical space.
Risks to bed partners and family members during in-home PAP therapy.

https://info.circadiance.com/sleepweave ... e=hs_email

[chunkyfrog]

Good luck getting the nursing home to let her use it.
I would show up with at least one LAWYER.

[colomom]

Wow, what a terrible predicament. There have been numerous super spreader events in those type of facilities. During these difficult times facilities have to exercise extreme caution to protect other patients and staff. CPAP machines can release some aerosolized virus into the air, even if the risk of her spreading COVID to others by using the CPAP is minimal you may not be able to get them to let your Mom use her machine. Have you looked into the possibility of getting her out of there, perhaps she could go home if you can get her some type of home health care? Rehab facilities are expensive, it’s possible that you could get all or at least part of the costs of home care covered. If your Mom was recently released from the hospital, they may be able to connect you with a social worker to help you navigate the system and find out about any other options that might be available for your Mom.
Good luck! Hope your Mom heals quickly and is able to return home soon!