WARNING: You must replace your mask and tubing every month

[TheChuckster]

I heard on the news that CPAP tubing needs to be replaced every month to avoid contracting respiratory disease because of bacterial growth. Granted, the news probably isn't the best source, especially since disease "scare" stories boost ratings by driving viewer engagement, and it seems like there are a lot of ulterior motives for incentivizing excessive periodic replacement of costly medical equipment.

What are your thoughts on the issue? How often do you replace your equipment? Is it even necessary if you wash/clean the equipment periodically? How often do you clean your mask and tubing? Do you use a tube brush to do so? What other cleaning supplies do you use?

[SleepWrangler]

I heard on the news that CPAP tubing needs to be replaced every month to avoid contracting respiratory disease because of bacterial growth.

I'm currently flashing the Den bat signal into the cloudy sky. Just a sec ... I'm making popcorn.

Was this news courtesy of the CPAP supply manufacturers? I'd really like to see any study making reference to this claim because I can't even find published reasons for the existing manufacturer guidelines. My DME wanted their loaner equipment cleaned daily but didn't specify lifetime. Here are forum recommendations FAQ#19 viewtopic.php?f=1&t=89348&hilit=+CPAP+Basics+re%3A

[HoseCrusher]

Your news source is ill informed...

[LSAT]

I heard on the news that CPAP tubing needs to be replaced every month to avoid contracting respiratory disease because of bacterial growth. Granted, the news probably isn't the best source, especially since disease "scare" stories boost ratings by driving viewer engagement, and it seems like there are a lot of ulterior motives for incentivizing excessive periodic replacement of costly medical equipment.

What are your thoughts on the issue? How often do you replace your equipment? Is it even necessary if you wash/clean the equipment periodically? How often do you clean your mask and tubing? Do you use a tube brush to do so? What other cleaning supplies do you use?

BS...This "news" must have come from a DME I am using a 18 month old mask with 18 month old cushions and a 12 month old hose. I rarely wash any of the above....( I do however, change the air in my tires every 1000 miles)

[HoseCrusher]

I hope you recycle your old tire air...

[jencat824]

I really disagree with this News statement. If you keep your mask & tubing 'clean' by your own standards, both should last much, much longer without changing them monthly. I personally change tubing about every couple of years. I change my mask when it wears out OR when I want to try a new one. My Swift LT cushions wore out about every 3 weeks, that was the exception to my norm.

Now each of us have different opinions about how often (or if) to clean. Many people clean daily, some weekly, some monthly, some only 'as needed'. I'm not an over-cleaner, probably need to work on that, but have never had any problems due to my mask or tubing.

I do think the source of this News Story had to be directly or indirectly linked to the CPAP industry. Why would anyone report something so specific? Why single out 'mask' and 'tubing'? This makes me think its fiction.

Just my thoughts, draw your own conclusion.

[Wulfman...]

I heard on the news that CPAP tubing needs to be replaced every month to avoid contracting respiratory disease because of bacterial growth.

I'm currently flashing the Den bat signal into the cloudy sky. Just a sec ... I'm making popcorn.

Was this news courtesy of the CPAP supply manufacturers? I'd really like to see any study making reference to this claim because I can't even find published reasons for the existing manufacturer guidelines. My DME wanted their loaner equipment cleaned daily but didn't specify lifetime. Here are forum recommendations FAQ#19

Got it!

I heard on the news that CPAP tubing needs to be replaced every month to avoid contracting respiratory disease because of bacterial growth. Granted, the news probably isn't the best source, especially since disease "scare" stories boost ratings by driving viewer engagement, and it seems like there are a lot of ulterior motives for incentivizing excessive periodic replacement of costly medical equipment.

What are your thoughts on the issue? How often do you replace your equipment? Is it even necessary if you wash/clean the equipment periodically? How often do you clean your mask and tubing? Do you use a tube brush to do so? What other cleaning supplies do you use?

I hear lots of things on the news, too.......much of it is eventually contradictory.........something is bad for you and then later it's good for you......like coffee for example.

Do whatever you feel comfortable with. The spectrum of what people do on the forum is broad. If you do a forum search on the word "cleaning", you'll have lots of reading material to keep you busy.
Just remember.......the manufacturers make money on the products they make. It's in their interests if you buy more of it than what you "need".


Den

.

[Goofproof]

I believe everything in the news, or put out by the government. I
also believe all advertising and lawyers, most papers written by edcutated teachers that have never held a real job producing anything worthwhile.

I am proud of our elected government, they are trying so hard to make us into a third or fourth world country, and their complete disregard for the principals that made this country that was once great. NOT! Jim

[chunkyfrog]

Do not, ever, expect quality reporting from a local source.
Our local paper has been a standing joke for many years. Not only do they hire people who can't spell and
have limited vocabulary, they are generally are too lazy to conduct adequate research.
Their accuracy is hit or miss. They frequently misspell names or get the facts wrong.
One of the local TV stations is an even bigger joke.
I've seen the evening news read by an extremely inebriated announcer--most entertaining broadcast ever.
For years, network has provided impossible goals for these ninnies.
Lately, though, the online news has degraded to the point one may wonder who one needs to sleep with to get such a job.
Journalism used to be an art--now it's just another lousy job--for what it's worth.

[jencat824]

Do not, ever, expect quality reporting from a local source.
Our local paper has been a standing joke for many years. Not only do they hire people who can't spell and
have limited vocabulary, they are generally are too lazy to conduct adequate research.
Their accuracy is hit or miss. They frequently misspell names or get the facts wrong.
One of the local TV stations is an even bigger joke.
I've seen the evening news read by an extremely inebriated announcer--most entertaining broadcast ever.
For years, network has provided impossible goals for these ninnies.
Lately, though, the online news has degraded to the point one may wonder who one needs to sleep with to get such a job.
Journalism used to be an art--now it's just another lousy job--for what it's worth.

Amen!

[JohnBFisher]

As you can see from my signature, I've used xPAP therapy for more than 20 + years. I've have not yet died from a bacterial infection from using an old mask and tubing! That being said, if someone in my home had pneumonia or the like, I would wash my mask and tubing on a very regular basis. But I only rarely wash my mask and just replace the tubing once every six months or so. If that would have increased my chances of infection, I would be sick as a dog. However, I actually catch far fewer infections because I use my xPAP device. It helps keep my sinuses open and my lungs clear.

[djhall]

So, outside air blows across all sorts of un-sterile dirty surfaces, passes over scum filled ponds and ditches, circulates through air conditioning ducts that haven't been cleaned in decades, and carries the airborne fecal particles of a fart to your nose, but filtering it, passing it over distilled water, and pushing it through a clean plastic hose should make you fear for your health????

[chunkyfrog]

---and there you go!
Unless you are immune-suppressed, not a problem.
Of course, there are those whose anxiety will indeed make them ill.
It might be fun to mock those with this problem, but unlike anti-vaxxers, they harm no one but themselves.
Perspective; and kindness.

[deerslayer]

K e r i q e e ! Does that mean i'm gonna die...

[Joe_0206]

Is this all going to turn out to be like an episode of 'Lost'?

I do dream of polar bears and smoke monsters whenever I wear my mask.