Please Help a B&M DME with a smokey problem.

KansasRT · Post by **KansasRT** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 10:45 am

I have an APAP that I loaned to a patient that smells horribly smokey. I have cleaned it and ran it with an air freshener. I have searched the site and have read people using Pur sleep. My question is if the Pur sleep gets rid of the smoke smell or if it covers it up so that you don't notice. I cannot afford to give pur sleep to every patient that I loan the machine to. ( I am a DME that does not charge for that service) I would welcome any advice on de-smoking the machine. I know the people here have great ideas. Thanks!

bbacher · Post by **bbacher** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 10:55 am

Do you mean the machine itself stinks on the outside, or the air delivered through the hose stinks, or both?

I assume you've replaced the filter and hose? Those will surely be permeated with tar and stench.

I have never been very successful removing smoke smell from plastic surfaces (such as the plastic housing of the machine itself).

bap40 · Post by **bap40** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 10:58 am

Maybe you can try some vinegar.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 11:11 am

Maybe putting something like this on the filter and then let the machine run at a low pressure setting for awhile......?

http://www.febreze.com/en_US/febreze/products.do

Den

Velbor · Post by **Velbor** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 11:15 am

I have no connection with or interest in, and I have never done business with, the following site, which appears to specialize in refurbishing and reselling used PAP equipment:

http://www.secondwindcpap.com

On their page for "Selling?" they specifically mention:

The machines must come from a smoke-free environment, and must be free of heavy odors such as Patchouli Oil, or other heavy fragrances; Cigarette smoke odors in particular are impossible to remove from this type of medical equipment.

If they are to be believed, what you are seeking may not be possible. Good luck. Please let us know if you find a remedy.

BarryKaraoke · Post by **BarryKaraoke** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 11:17 am

I remember a sterilization procedure document that came with my mask...don't they have such procedures for machines too? How do sleep labs clean their communal titration machines? (or do they?)

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 11:42 am

probably camp fire or cigarette smoke, why not do like the other DME's that send out used equipment, sprinkle a little baby powder in front of the intake?

Niteair · Post by **Niteair** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 12:00 pm

Sounds like you need two machines, one for non-smokers and one for smokers. The smokers will probably never even notice the smell.

sleepycarol · Post by **sleepycarol** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 12:10 pm

I believe it was admiralcougar that had this problem. It was suggested to let her machine run for several hours outdoors to help with the smell.

When I get home if I can find that post I will try to link to it.

sleepycarol · Post by **sleepycarol** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 12:12 pm

I found it easier than I thought I would. Here is the link:

viewtopic.php?t=24677&highlight=

Good luck.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 1:02 pm

Kansas Rt,

You have only 2 choices.

1. Use the machine now only on smokers or sell it outright to a smoker. Letting them know of course that it has been in a smoking home.

2. Throw the machine away and take the loss.

Invacare, will not repair under warranty a concentrator which smells of tobacco smoke. They consider it abuse of the equipment, they won't even put it into there work area to diagnose the problem due to the smell factor. I know you are talking about a CPAP machine, but I was just giving an example of what some manufactors are doing even under warranty repairs. Invacare is not the only one either, we have other manufactors of Respiratory equipment who refuse to repair under warranty if the equipment smells like tobacco smoke.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 1:09 pm

I will also mention that I have tried many times to get the smoke out of a cpap/bipap by running them, even after 48 hours of continous running they still smelled of smoke.

socknitster · Post by **socknitster** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 2:24 pm

Plastic really holds on to odors. I doubt you will be able to get rid of the smoke without introducing something dangerous so the machine--I personally would freak out if I found out someone had put febreze or baby powder or something like that in or on my machine to try to get rid of smoke. That could not only be a hazard in itself (to someone with sensitive lungs) but probably voids the warranty.

I would say you will have to either loan it only to smokers like others have suggested or recycle the parts on it that haven't retained the scent.

You may need to change your policy. If machines are loaned to a smoking home they may not be able to bring them back. Sounds tough, but smoking is a lifestyle choice that is a known health hazard. People with respiratory problems do not need to inherit a machine that stinks--that would be dirty pool, which of course you realize or you wouldn't be here asking about this.

That really is a tough dilemna. Sorry you have to deal with such crap. I know my machine has picked up some undesireable odors in the past--like in hotels and stuff, but with time and cleaning the hose and mask they have gone away.

Jen

3isles · Post by **3isles** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 3:14 pm

chlorophyll? I know its supposed to neutralize odor, but how to get it through the machine, and would it be safe....
just a thought

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 5:26 pm

Goshes, sleep labs don't have much choice whether their patients are smokers or not. It wouldn't seem that they would have separate machines for smokers and non-smokers but maybe they do. Why not ask a local sleep lab, KansasRT? Good luck!!