Open filters from the supply house...

[DianeMDennis]

Hi!

I went to pick up my filters for the month and they gave me open filters, not in a package, just loose floating in the paper bag. I asked about it and they said it's normal. That's the first time in 10 years of getting filters regularly that the filters were not packaged together.

I refused them and told them to call me when they have filters that are in their packages, because I don't want filters that are contaminated with their employees' fingers and anything and everything floating around.

Is it normal to get filters that are not wrapped? I've always received a small plastic package with two disposable filters in it, never filters that were already open.

Thank you!!

[chunkyfrog]

My DME usually buys bulk filters, and puts mine into a small ziploc bag.
Lately they have been giving me sealed single packs of Resmed hypoallergenic filters.
They look and work exactly the same.
The reclosable bags are nice to have when traveling.
Most filters are made in third world countries.
I try not to think about who touches them THERE.
If your DME is too cheap to put your filters in a nice, clean snack bag, fire them.

[Pugsy]

Filters can be bought in bulk packages (either OEM or aftermarket)....saves money and DMEs are all about saving money.
So they buy a package of say 100 and then pull out 2 of them to give you and they probably bought the cheapest filter they could find.
They charge you or your insurance the same price as a package of 2 and make more profit.

My DME doesn't ever open any packages of any sort and then sell the item. It's against their policy.
But each DME is free to set their own in house policies for any number of things.

[DianeMDennis]

Wow, thank you for letting me know.

That just blows me away for the mere fact of the people there handling the filters bare-handed and then the filters just floating around open to the air picking up whatever. Ugh... I caught one of the workers there with her finger in her nose. She didn't know I saw her. I'm just so blech disgusted lol.

And no doubt they got the cheapest they could, that's what these folks are all about unfortunately.

Thank you again!!

Oh, I did send an email to my insurance company to ask them about it. Hopefully they'll say uh-uh but probably not...

[LSAT]

Mine are always loose..no big deal

[palerider]

filters just floating around open to the air picking up whatever.

I don't know whether you've noticed, but those filters are *always* exposed to the air... even if they're in a baggy, the baggy has holes in it, otherwise, they'd puff up with altitude changes.

[DianeMDennis]

I don't know whether you've noticed, but those filters are *always* exposed to the air... even if they're in a baggy, the baggy has holes in it, otherwise, they'd puff up with altitude changes.

No I never noticed little holes in the bags but that's different - being out in the open with no covering at all vs inside a plastic bag with little air holes... Employees coughing and spreading ick around, etc. Personal preference maybe but I don't want their germs on my filters.

[palerider]

I don't know whether you've noticed, but those filters are *always* exposed to the air... even if they're in a baggy, the baggy has holes in it, otherwise, they'd puff up with altitude changes.

No I never noticed little holes in the bags but that's different - being out in the open with no covering at all vs inside a plastic bag with little air holes... Employees coughing and spreading ick around, etc. Personal preference maybe but I don't want their germs on my filters.

Given that you have no idea at all what the conditions are *before* they're put in the baggies.... who knows who's coughing up what diseases on the production line...

[jimbud]

I don't know whether you've noticed, but those filters are *always* exposed to the air... even if they're in a baggy, the baggy has holes in it, otherwise, they'd puff up with altitude changes.

No I never noticed little holes in the bags but that's different - being out in the open with no covering at all vs inside a plastic bag with little air holes... Employees coughing and spreading ick around, etc. Personal preference maybe but I don't want their germs on my filters.

Given that you have no idea at all what the conditions are *before* they're put in the filters.... who knows who's coughing up what diseases on the production line...

ick

JPB

[Okie bipap]

Filters are not expensive and are readily available on line at cpap.com and other places. Many people here on the forum purchase filters from Amazon or eBay.

[chunkyfrog]

Most Americans who work with the public have LOUSY health insurance.
We are exposed to pathogens every time we leave the house--and in the house, too.
It contributes to our IMMUNITY.
Cleanliness may be next to godliness, but loving our neighbors comes much closer.

[jimbud]

Cleanliness may be next to godliness, but loving our neighbors comes much closer.

Nice.
JPB

[DianeMDennis]

Given that you have no idea at all what the conditions are *before* they're put in the baggies.... who knows who's coughing up what diseases on the production line...

Guess I was stupid enough to think they're automated. I figured it was done with a machine(s), not fingers.

[palerider]

Given that you have no idea at all what the conditions are *before* they're put in the baggies.... who knows who's coughing up what diseases on the production line...

Guess I was stupid enough to think they're automated. I figured it was done with a machine(s), not fingers.

You never know... that's the point, and even if there are machines that make big rolls of the stuff, and slit it and stuff it into little baggies for your comfort... who do you think inspects those rolls, works on the machines, handles the product?

Freaking out about something you *see*, when you have no idea how the product got to that point....

Sure, the sausage in your grocery store looks all pretty in the case, or in the plastic package... but how did it get there, and what went into it?

You DON'T KNOW, and I'm certain that you don't want to know.

[DianeMDennis]

You never know... that's the point, and even if there are machines that make big rolls of the stuff, and slit it and stuff it into little baggies for your comfort... who do you think inspects those rolls, works on the machines, handles the product?

Freaking out about something you *see*, when you have no idea how the product got to that point....

Sure, the sausage in your grocery store looks all pretty in the case, or in the plastic package... but how did it get there, and what went into it?

You DON'T KNOW, and I'm certain that you don't want to know.

You're right. I know someone who works at a meat packing plant and we'd all think that the meat is fine because of the fact there's an USDA inspector on site during all work hours but no... Let's just say that just because you think you're eating a particular type of meat, doesn't mean you are (ie: receiving pork bones when you think it's veal bones because the plant doesn't want to spend the extra money on veal bones). Pretty freaking scary that the inspectors let through what they do.

So, yep, in hindsight you're exactly right.

Thank you,