DME strikes again! EW!

So my F&P Icon auto has a power supply problem after 3 years. Not a surprise because new versions have a big fat cord now. So I took it to the DME to get repaired. They gave me a loaner Icon to use for a few weeks. I got it out at bed time and noticed water in the reservoir....ew. I assumed it was cleaning solution because it smelled horrible. So I was up until 2 AM cleaning the dumb thing. Problem solved I think. I turned it on to sleep and...ugh...the smell comes back! It is like I am cuddled up on the dirt floor of a dank basement. I slept 4 hrs and gave up. I called the DME in the morning and complained. They told me the tech would get back to me...
So I decide to bleach it tonight after having no luck with tech. I bleached the reservoir and used bleach wipe on the inside. I think I have achieved victory over the odor...and then I turned it on. Smell is back! Now I am stumped. I look in filter housing...it is clean. Then I noticed fog on the black plastic inside.... So I turned it upside down and black moldy water ran out. Ew!!! Either the person cleaning it is not qualified or the previous borrower let their reservoir water leak in...gross. I opened it up and the foam inside was soaked and black with mold. I have bleached all the parts. (Very diluted to not hurt foam). Guess what? The smell is still there! It is INSIDE the motor. I think they ruined the machine.
Moral of the story: check the machine before you leave any DME. And never travel with water in your reservoir or clean it in a way that water gets in the motor.

It is going to be a long night. By the way, is that mold residue harmful if you are healthy?

F&p does not repair machines, never have. They offer a "trade-in" program for the old machine, which lowers the cost of a new machine for the user.

Dme must be using a 3rd party vendor to service.

Correct. They told me that as well. They apparently do some kind of testing to make sure and then make me wait for my insurance company to approve replacement.

Also... you can go one night without the humidifier. I have not used mine in 5 years... except when I have a cold or sinus issues. Either way... therapy will still occur.

Sheriff

Sheriff Buford wrote:Also... you can go one night without the humidifier. I have not used mine in 5 years... except when I have a cold or sinus issues. Either way... therapy will still occur.

Sheriff

not payin attention, there, are you, sheriff?

His entire machine is contaminated.......and besides the Icon will not operate without the humidifier tub in place......it uses the silicon seal on the top of the tub to create a closed circuit to maintain treatment air pressure.

The whole idea of a DME giving the patient a loaner like that is just plain Gross, and Discusting!

Inhaling mold spores ain't so great either.........I bet the thing smells worse than dirty socks.....Yuk!

Ugh! Take it into the DME's and turn it upside down on their nice clean desk.

+1000

eyup