When using CPAP therapy to treat your sleep apnea, it is important to replace your supplies on a regular basis. We at Liberty Oxygen and Medical Equipment work closely with our Minnesota CPAP and BiPAP customers and suggest routine replacement of your CPAP supplies for these 3 reasons:
Wear and Tear:
- CPAP masks are made of medical grade silicon. This material will degrade over time, becoming stiff and/or cracking.
- The mask seal will become loose and not inflate as well.
- The headgear straps become loose due to scalp oils and the daily tension on the elastic, resulting in air leaks which then requires increased tightening to adjust the fit and further stretching.
All the above leads to less than optimal sleep therapy as well as potential skin irritation.
Microbial Contamination:
- Replacing and cleaning the filters prolongs the life of the machine by keeping dust and allergens out and enhancing the purity of the air you breathe. Inhalation of bacteria leads to other health issues.
- More attention needs to be paid to the daily cleaning and 6-month replacement of the CPAP mask and headgear as they come in contact with the skin, mouth and nasal airway.
A 2009 Harvard study showed that the older a mask is, the less effective regular cleaning becomes. The study surmised that a “biofilm” of microscopic debris adheres to the mask and headgear breeding bacteria, fungi and potentially yeast. The silicone surface becomes pitted and resistant to disinfection over time.
The study concluded that after 6-months of CPAP use, masks that were swabbed and cultured before washing showing a growth of >2000 colonies (bacteria) per dish at 48-hours. Following washing, the masks were again swabbed and cultured and there was no significant reduction in colonies. The study found masks, tubing and water chambers, regardless of disinfection method or frequency following 6-months of use, cannot be properly cleaned and need to be replaced.
Insurance Coverage:
Many people replace their CPAP supplies as often as their insurance company will pay for them. The insurance industry is on board supporting the 6-month replacement of CPAP supplies as they believe it enhances optimal sleep therapy – better sleep contributes to the improvement of their insureds overall health.
To receive proper CPAP therapy, achieve the maximum lifespan of your supplies and reduce contamination, the CPAP mask and accessories need to be cleaned on a regular basis:
Daily: Wipe mask with a warm damp cloth (or use a CPAP mask wipe); empty and set out water chamber to dry; drain excess water from tubing and hang to dry
Weekly: Soak mask, headgear, tubing and water chamber in warm soapy water for 15 minutes then let air dry
Monthly: Rinse out reusable filter with warm water; replace disposable filter (more frequently if discolored); wipe down CPAP machine with damp cloth
Here is a video that helps explain how to properly clean your CPAP Machine:
Liberty Oxygen and Medical Equipment recommends at a minimum of every 6 months all CPAP and BiPAP supplies be replaced with the exception of disposable filters (as listed below). Most insurance companies follow Medicare guidelines and will pay to replace various supplies more frequently. The following is the most common schedule to replace CPAP supplies (this can vary by insurance company):
CPAP Accessory Replacement Frequency
Tubing Every 3 months
Mask (not headgear) Every 3 months
Headgear Every 6 months
Chinstrap Every 6 months
Disposable Filter 2 per month
Non-Disposable Filter Every 6 months
Humidifier Water Chamber Every 6 months
Liberty Oxygen and Medical Equipment hosts free CPAP clinics at each of our stores twice a year, typically in the spring and fall. The CPAP clinics have proven to be very popular with our customers over the years. At these FREE clinics, our experienced staff will:
- Examine your mask supplies and replace them if needed
- Check your pressure and settings
- Fit you with a new, comfortable mask if necessary or desired
- Walk you through proper cleaning procedures
- Show you all the latest accessories – be sure to check out our fun novelty mask attachments while you’re there!
If you have questions on your CPAP equipment, our knowledgeable staff can assist you including any questions on insurance coverage of these supplies. Liberty Oxygen and Medical Equipment has friendly, experienced staff available to help at each of our eight Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota metro area locations. Call or stop by any location today!