Cooper Medical Supplies CPAP, BiPAP Patient Instructions

CPAP/BiPAP Patient Instructions

115 John Maddox Dr

Rome, GA 30165

Phone: [phone]

Kevin Cooper, Owner/Respiratory Therapist

Purpose of CPAP/BiPAP Therapy

The purpose of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy is to provide your airway with supporting
pressure so they do not collapse. The airways relax during sleep and this can cause them to collapse, which can
cause you to stop breathing and wake up. When this happens repeatedly, your time spent in restful sleep is
decreased. Having your sleep continually interrupted can cause daytime sleepiness and puts additional stress on
your heart and other major organs. By keeping your airways open with the air pressure, you can breathe
without being awakened, which means you can get more restful sleep.

Because CPAP machines provide positive pressure to your airways, they require a prescription from your
physician. Your CPAP machine and its supplies are being supplied to you in conjunction with the prescription
obtained from your physician.

Always read and abide by all manufacturers’ operating instructions.

Types of CPAP/BiPAP Therapy

CPAP machines come in two basic types: preset and auto adjusting. Preset or standard CPAP machines have
one preset airway pressure that remains constant during treatment. Auto adjusting CPAP machines adjust the
airway pressure based on individual response to the treatment. Most CPAP machines have a ramping feature
that starts the pressure out at a lower level when treatment is started and slowly builds the pressure up to the
prescribed level. This ramping feature can help some people gradually adjust to the pressure.

BiPAP machines also come in two basic types: preset and auto adjusting. Preset or standard BiPAP machines
have two preset airway pressures that remain constant during therapy. You will have a higher pressure when
you inhale (inspiratory pressure or IPAP) and a lower pressure when you exhale (expiratory pressure or EPAP).
Auto adjusting BiPAP machines adjust the airway pressures based on your individual response to the treatment.

CPAP and BiPAP machines are electrical devices that take air from the room, pass the air through a filter, and
then provide it back in the form of pressurized air. This pressurized air travels through a breathing tube and is
applied to your airways by a mask, nasal pillows, or oral device. This pressure is expressed in centimeters of
water pressure or (cmH2O).

In most cases a humidifier will be added to your CPAP/BiPAP machine in order to put extra moisture in the air.
Humidifiers are provided because the air pressure tends to dry the mucous membranes of the nose and mouth.

All CPAP/BiPAP machines are supplies as part of a treatment plan from your physician. Your physician’s

treatment plan includes the following prescription which was obtained from the sleep study you participated in
to diagnose sleep apnea:

CPAP Pressure:____________________cmH2O
or
BiPAP Pressure: _______________ inspiratory (IPAP) _______________ expiratory (EPAP)
Ramp Pressure:____________________
Ramp Time:_______________________
CPAP/BiPAP Unit and Model Number:___________________________________________
Mask Type:________________________
Mask Size:_________________________

CPAP/BiPAP Accessories

In order to apply the pressure generated by your CPAP/BiPAP machine, you must wear an oral appliance, nasal
pillows, or a mask over the nose or over the nose and mouth. The choice of device is based upon which method
best fits your facial features, which provides the most comfortable fit, and whether or not you are a mouth
breather.

There are many different types of masks, nasal pillows, and oral devices to choose from to facilitate a good seal
and maintain comfort. If a headgear is used to secure the mask or nasal pillows, it should be snug enough for a
good fit in all sleeping positions. A chin strap may be needed to help keep your mouth closed during use.

If you would like to see what types of masks are available, simply come by our location at 115 John Maddox
Dr, Rome, GA 30165, or you may look at the manufacturers’ websites.

Respironics: http://masks.respironics.com/
Resmed: http://www.resmed.com/us/products/masks.html?nc=patients
Fisher and Paykel: http://www.fphcare.com/product-overview.html
General Info http://www.cpaptalk.com

Your supplies which include your mask, tubing, humidifier, and filter have a useful life that varies depending
upon use and will need to be replaced periodically. We will contact you occasionally regarding your supply
needs.

Humidifier

A humidifier can be added to a CPAP/BiPAP machine if a user has continued dryness of the nose, mouth, or
throat. CPAP humidifiers are medical devices and require a prescription. A water based lubricant can be used
inside the nose to help with irritation; do NOT use petroleum based products like Vaseline.

There are two basic types of CPAP/BiPAP humidifiers: passover and heated.
Passover humidifiers direct the airflow of the CPAP machine over the top of water in the chamber. This allows
the air to pick up some moisture as it is directed through the tubing to your airways. This type of humidifier
does not require heat or additional electricity.
Heated humidifiers require an electrical connection, either directly to the wall or through the CPAP/BiPAP
machine, to heat the water. By heating the water, the amount of humidity available to the user is increased.
Most heated humidifiers offer a temperature control function so the user can raise or lower the heat setting to in
turn raise or lower the moisture level.

ALWAYS use distilled water to fill your humidifier. There will be markings to show how much water is
required to fill the humidifier. Do not overfill the chamber because there is a chance the water can flow into the
machine causing damage. Never place anything in your humidifier except distilled water.