Ventilator
Connect the ventilator to the mains electricity and make sure it stays plugged in, even during the day when you are not using it. Use an earthed socket, avoid extension cords and loose power strips.
The device is equipped with both an internal battery and a click-on battery, which together provide an autonomy (without mains power) of about 4 to 6 hours.
How do you install the device?
The settings of the ventilator were configured by the doctor, you do not need to do anything about them.
Preferably place the ventilator on a trolley with wheels so it can be moved easily. Ensure that it remains ‘free’: do not place anything on or against it. During ventilation, position the device as close as possible to the patient.
Switching on the device
- Check whether the tubing system is properly connected.
- Check for kinks.
- Switch on the device and connect the patient.
- If you are using a humidifier, switch on the heating element 20 minutes in advance so the water has time to warm up.
Disconnecting the device
- Disconnect the device from the mask.
- Switch off the device. Will it remain in place?
- Then leave the plug in the socket to recharge the battery.
- If you used a humidifier, unplug it.
How do I maintain the ventilator?
- Clean the outside of the device regularly using a lint-free, slightly damp cloth.
- Make sure no water ever gets inside the device.
- The electrical and mechanical maintenance of the device is carried out by the hospital’s biomedical engineering department.
- Every 6 months if the patient is ventilated day and night, or every 12 months if only at night.
- This maintenance coincides with the annual admission for check-up at the sleep centre. If you are ventilated day and night, an additional check-up is carried out at home by the biomedical engineering department (by telephone appointment).
Humidifier
How do I install the humidifier?
- Always position the humidifier lower than the patient and the ventilator. This allows condensation water to flow back into the humidifier and not towards the device or the patient.
- The humidifier must be firmly attached to the device.
- Always fill the water reservoir up to the maximum line. Depending on the settings, it takes about 12 hours to reach the minimum line.
- Do not use tap water, but rather:
- demineralised water (like for an iron)
- BRITA® filter
- bottled water (most expensive option, so only in emergencies)
- Plug in the humidifier.
- Follow the settings defined during the start of the treatment.
How do I maintain the humidifier?
- Clean the water reservoir once a week.
- Remove limescale with a little vinegar and rinse thoroughly with water.
- Never immerse the heating element in water.
- After maintenance, refill the water reservoir up to the maximum line.
Tubing system
The tubing system connects on one side to the mask and on the other to the ventilator.
You always have a spare tubing system. Always inform the sleep centre if it is defective.
How do I maintain the tubing system?
- Wash the entire tubing system once a week, except the valve. Remove the valve and its pressure control.
- Soak the tubes in warm water with a mild dishwashing liquid (as you would for a wool jumper) and a concentrated 1% HAC solution (100 ml HAC per 10 litres of water). This can be done in a bath or large basin.
- Then rinse the tubes thoroughly with tap water. If the water has a lot of limescale, add a bit of vinegar.
- Let the tubes drain and dry on a drying rack.
Check the tubing system for tears, kinks and mucus residues before using it again.
What to do in case of an alarm?
If there is a problem with the ventilator or the ventilation, you will hear an alarm sound. Some alarm-related problems can be solved by yourself.
For a patient requiring continuous ventilation, switch to manual ventilation using the ventilation bag by a close relative. Meanwhile, someone else can check whether the issue can be resolved.
Which alarm causes can you resolve yourself?
| What do you hear? | Possible cause | Solution |
| Low pressure alarm |
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| Air leaking at the tubing |
| Use the spare tubing system |
| High pressure alarm |
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| Continuous alarm and no more ventilation |
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