Philips Respironics, one of the biggest manufacturers of CPAP and BiPAP devices, issued a wide-ranging recall on June 14, 2021, that is expected to affect between three to four million total devices.

Needless to say, many No Insurance Medical Supplies customers have purchased Philips Respironics products in the past. You may be understandably concerned about what this recall means for your sleep apnea therapy. While this recall is still unfolding, there are some key details that you should be aware of.

What is the Recall About?

The Philips Respironics recall is the result of faulty sound abatement foam used in certain devices. This foam has been discovered to deteriorate over time, and due to the location of the foam, debris particulates could enter the mask and tubing system. While this issue appears to occur across all devices that use the defective foam, the company notes that the problem is accelerated by the use of ozone cleaning devices, as well as exposure to excessively hot and humid conditions.

Clearly, foam debris entering your mask and tubing is a cause for concern, and some Philips Respironics users have reported finding black debris from the foam in their masks. The foam also produces potentially harmful chemical emissions.

While Philips Respironics is not aware of any of its customers experiencing serious harm from the use of devices with the faulty foam, the list of potential side effects is worth noting. The debris itself can cause respiratory tract infections, asthma, and headaches. It is also believed to have the potential for harm to the kidneys and liver, and even toxic carcinogenic effects. Similarly, the chemical emissions produced by the degrading foam can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting.

Affected Products to Be Aware Of

The product recall is expected to affect as many as four million Philips Respironics devices, with the vast majority of these being CPAP and BiPAP devices in the DreamStation line. The recall covers all first-generation DreamStation CPAP and BiPAP machines, including the DreamStation Go. However, the recall does not include the DreamStation 2, because of differences in the sound abatement foam used for those devices.

The recall also applies to several mechanical ventilators, most notably the Trilogy 100 and Trilogy 200 devices. For each of the affected products, the recall applies to every device serial number on devices that were manufactured before April 26, 2021. Philips Respironics is also temporarily halting all manufacturing and shipping for affected devices.

Next Steps For Owners of Affected Devices

If you’re one of the many Philips Respironics customers affected by this recall, there are several important things to be aware of. First and foremost, the company has recommended that CPAP and BiPAP users should immediately stop using their devices and find a replacement.

The process of recalling and refurbishing affected devices could take quite a while, so many users are going to be better off getting a replacement from another brand. Left untreated, sleep apnea can have a significant harmful influence on your overall well-being — and not just from disrupted sleep. For many, ordering a replacement device as soon as possible will be in their best interest.

However, those who use a life-sustaining medical ventilator included in the recall shouldn’t stop using their device right away. Instead, the company recommends that patients continue using their device until after they meet with a physician to discuss next steps. In this case, the risks of stopping treatment outweigh the potential benefits. Those who will continue using their device should purchase an inline bacterial viral filter, which is an inexpensive filter that can reduce particulate airflow.

You should not call No Insurance Medical Supplies to process your recall. Philips Respironics will be handling all device recalls directly. Customers will be able to register their device serial number so they can file their claim with the company. You can get more information by calling Philips Respironics at 877-907-7508.

You can also obtain more information regarding the recall by visiting the Philips Respironics website. Due to the recency of the recall, this website will likely continue to be updated with new details and instructions as more information becomes available.

Get Your Replacement Equipment From No Insurance Medical Supplies

No Insurance Medical Supplies is no longer selling Philips Respironics products that are affected by the recall. However, this doesn’t mean that you are without options for your sleep apnea therapy.

At No Insurance Medical Supplies, we offer a wide range of CPAP and BiPAP devices at discounted prices from other brands, including ResMed, Fisher and Paykel, and 3B Medical. Products from each of these brands are currently in stock and ready to ship as soon as your order is processed. Financing is also available on all purchases $500 and up, so that this sudden need for replacement equipment doesn’t break the bank.

While this period may be stressful for Philips Respironics owners, we’re here to help you get through it.