New ResMed three questions about packaging and sterilization

Got my new ResMed Aircurve 10 VAuto today from Sleeplay. I've never ordered from them so I was taking a chance on it.

It looks new and all the parts were wrapped in plastic as expected, except that the actual PAP/device was NOT wrapped in plastic. It was just inside the storage bag with no wrapping. Since the pap/device was not in plastic, it's not perfectly clean, but pretty close.

Also, they applied a "Sleeplay" sticker directly onto the unit (with a phone number to call for parts). This disappointed me because I was buying a brand new unit and expected it to arrive in perfect condition, and in particular I expected that nobody was putting their grubby hands on it. In the past this would have been merely an annoyance, but in this time of COVID I'm more concerned about cleanliness and who's touching my medical equipment. Also for a minute when I saw the sticker it made me think it was a demo unit or something, but I don't believe that's the case because it shows no wear.

Three questions:

- How can I "sterilize" the unit to be sure it doesn't have viruses on it? Usually devices say not to use alcohol, but I was thinking it might be worth the risk to wipe the outside of the unit with isopropyl alcohol anyway. What's the worst that could happen if I do that? Do you have any other suggestions for the safest but also effective way to remove possible viral pathogens? I assume (hope) the inside of the unit is uncontaminated and that they didn't touch the silicone gaskets in the humidifier bay.

- Should the ResMed PAP/device have been wrapped in plastic like the humidifier and hose were, or is it normal for that one part to be placed directly into the storage bag without a plastic wrap even when brand new?

- What are your thoughts about the sticker they put on the device? Do companies do that often? Should I be concerned?

Thanks for any help you can offer

wannasmile wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 05, 2021 10:41 pm

What are your thoughts about the sticker they put on the device? Do companies do that often? Should I be concerned?

They ALL do that. Common practice.

Take an alcohol swab and just wipe down the parts of the machine you can get to with your fingers.

Or call them up and tell them you want a machine that no one has touched and put stickers on and is still sealed in ResMed packaging.

Pugsy wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 05, 2021 10:53 pm

wannasmile wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 05, 2021 10:41 pm

What are your thoughts about the sticker they put on the device? Do companies do that often? Should I be concerned?

They ALL do that. Common practice.

Take an alcohol swab and just wipe down the parts of the machine you can get to with your fingers.

Or call them up and tell them you want a machine that no one has touched and put stickers on and is still sealed in ResMed packaging.

Thanks for the info.

Although ideally I wish it was pristine and untouched, I don't want to make a stink over it, considering how much I need this thing now with the Philips recall
Really want to get off the APAP and onto trying the BIPAP as soon as possible, and feel lucky that I got the Aircurve considering the shortage going on (it was their last one in stock).

As long as I can wipe it down with alcohol without causing serious damage, I think that will be enough to deactivate any viruses that may be present in combination with the 5 or so days in shipping (although some studies show that covid can survive up to 4 weeks in ideal conditions, despite the fact that most sources claim 1-7 days). The outer surface is probably the only thing contaminated if at all, like you said. Internally it should be OK unless someone straight up coughed into it.

Thanks again for your help, as always.

As needed I'll make another post for help setting things up and checking the data to get the right settings. First I'll just read the manual and do a bit of quick research to get the basics figured out.

I don't think the Covid virus on your machine is too much of a concern as the virus has a limited life on a surface. Wiping down with a dampened cloth is likely all that's needed or just follow the manufacturers recommendation on cleaning the outside. I used to think about more immediate things I could touch that could be contaminated, like a dispensing handle at a gas pump that the previous person sneezed in his hand before pumping his gas
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how- ... -surfaces/

I suspect your DME had taken the unit out of the box to ensure it was functioning properly and to load in the prescription settings(?)

Your device and almost everything you buy and use have been touched by others, it's unavoidable.

If you have had your vaccinations, and mask up at all indoor public places,
you have done all that's possible.
If you are immunity compromised, you need to avoid sharing space with
needle-phobic, mask refusing pandemic deniers, as air is the chief route of infection.
---(Is pandemic denial a crude form of population control?)