Frequently Asked Questions about ResMed Devices and COVID-19

ResMed manufactures a range of ventilators and bilevel devices; both are indicated for home and hospital use, and have the flexibility for use in various clinical scenarios to support patients with respiratory insufficiency and failure. Our ventilators can provide invasive or non-invasive ventilation:

• Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) is a form of mechanical ventilation where air is delivered to the patient through a mask or mouthpiece.
• Invasive ventilation is used when sufficient ventilation cannot be achieved using non-invasive methods; air is delivered through a tube inserted into the trachea either by intubation or tracheotomy.
• Bilevel devices are non-invasive only and deliver two distinct pressures, one for inhalation and the second for exhalation; the change in pressures leads to flow of air in and out of the lungs.

If you have been tested and diagnosed with COVID-19, you need to follow the recommendation of the medical staff that provided the diagnosis. At ResMed, we only sell our ventilation devices through the healthcare system of each country. The therapy required to treat the worst cases of COVID-19 is very complex and requires medical expertise and clinically trained staff to administer it. Your medical professional has the expertise to decide what kind of therapy is required for each patient.

Information is changing daily, but the latest we’ve seen suggests that:

• Invasive ventilation carries a lower risk of spreading COVID-19 through aerosolization or droplet dispersion (exhaling air particles that have a contagion) because air exits through a tube just as it came into the patient.
• Non-invasive ventilation: Evidence suggests that non-invasive ventilation procedures are more likely to produce large droplets (>10 μm) rather than aerosols, and that these are largely confined to within one meter due to their large mass. This suggests that the risk of droplet dispersion as a result of using non-invasive ventilation or bilevel devices may not be that different to that of any COVID-19 patient in the hospital who is coughing or sneezing. Additionally, non-invasive ventilation systems with a good interface fitting do not create widespread dispersion of exhaled air, according to an experts’ panel cited by the U.S. National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Recommendations have been published to support good mask fit to reduce aerosols, including the use of full face masks. Nonetheless, the risk of aerosol dispersion needs to be mitigated with appropriate isolation of patients and the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers, such as N95 masks/respirators and eye protection, which are standard protective equipment in a COVID-19 ICU.

For each ResMed device, cleaning and disinfection procedures are provided in the device’s associated clinical guide, user guide, or service manual.

There is little information available on reprocessing requirements for equipment used in treating COVID-19 patients. The following information is based on research that has been conducted on similar viruses, and some limited data on COVID-19.

Published guidance from health authorities reinforces the need to maintain standard cleaning and disinfection procedures. To prevent cross-contamination, antibacterial filters are used on air intake and breathing tubes, and tube accessories are replaced or sterilized by the staff in the care setting. Instructions are provided on the materials and method for cleaning surfaces. Surface disinfection procedures with 62–71% ethanol, 0.5% hydrogen peroxide, or 0.1% sodium hypochlorite have been shown to reduce SARS coronavirus infectivity within one minute. 

Yes. ResMed already has strict safety protocols for handling returned medical equipment. We follow those protocols to safely receive, repair, and dispose of returned equipment if necessary. Please contact our Customer Care team on 1800 991 900 if you have any questions or concerns about sending your patient’s device, mask, or accessory back to a ResMed Authorised Service Centre.

Recommendations on disinfection processes for our therapy devices can be found in the device’s associated clinical or disinfection guide.

A CPAP machine is an effective therapy device for treating sleep apnea. CPAP use doesn’t prevent patients from contracting COVID-19. 

CPAP devices are designed to provide PAP (positive airway pressure) therapy only. Regular use of a CPAP machine (if your patient has been prescribed one) will help them stay healthy and alert, which is especially important during this time. ResMed does manufacture and sell a range of ventilation devices. For more information click here.

A patient’s CPAP device has been prescribed for personal use only and cannot be used by more than one person without following a disinfection protocol set forth in our clinical guide. A CPAP machine is used to treat sleep apnea. 

Coronavirus doesn’t change their sleep apnea diagnosis – or their need to continue using CPAP therapy. They should continue to use their CPAP machine because a full night’s sleep benefits their overall health. If a patient has been diagnosed with COVID-19, they need to follow the medical advice from their healthcare provider.

If a patient is being treated for COVID-19, they should share with their doctor or clinical team their pre-existing conditions and what devices they are already using and follow their advice. As described by the World Health Organization, the key risk for spreading COVID-19 is person-to-person transmission in close contact. The most important advice in controlling the spread of COVID-19 is washing your hands, good hygiene, and social distancing. Maintaining the cleanliness of their ResMed device according to the user guide is always a good practice to reduce infection risk to anyone else from any contaminated surfaces.

A CPAP machine is only intended to treat sleep apnea.

Patients are not at higher risk of catching COVID-19 if they use a CPAP device. Patients should ask their medical professional for more specific information about their concern.

Disinfection instructions have been provided to your healthcare professional.

Disinfection processes for our therapy devices and masks can be found in the device’s associated clinical or disinfection guide or in our mask’s associated disinfection guide.

If a patient wishes to clean their CPAP machine, the device’s user guide explains how to clean it on a weekly basis. For detailed instructions on how to clean their mask and tubing, please refer them to the device’s user guide, and the following steps:

1. Wash the air tubing in warm water using mild detergent and hot water. Do not wash in a dishwasher or washing machine.
2. Rinse the air tubing thoroughly and allow to dry out of direct sunlight and/or heat.
3. Wipe the exterior of the device with a dry cloth.

Please note: Cleaning any device or mask in the manner recommended in the product’s user guide does not guarantee decontamination or disinfection.

The most important thing to do is to inform your equipment provider before you return the device. Your provider is trained on ResMed’s procedures to safely return devices for repair or disposal. Please contact your home medical equipment provider if you have a concern about your device, mask, or accessory.

As stated in our clinical and user guides, *optimal* humidifier performance requires distilled water. That’s because most or all of its minerals have been removed, preventing mineral buildup in the humidifier tub. That said, tap or bottled water may also be used. It will not harm the device or pose a risk to patients. It will, however, require more rigorous humidifier cleaning to prevent excess mineral buildup in the tub.

Yes, all Chinese-made components for ResMed products are safe for use, and all components received at a ResMed manufacturing facility go through rigorous safety, cleanliness, and quality checks before manufacturing – processes designed to safeguard against such health threats as COVID-19.