How to Change Clinical BiPAP Settings

If your doctor has prescribed a bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP) machine, it is very important to understand the purpose of the machine and to familiarize yourself with the settings. The BiPAP machine provides oxygen and respiratory support to allow for easier breathing. If the BiPAP settings are not correct or if the machine is not used properly, your condition could worsen. Based on your specific needs, your physician will prescribe certain functions for your BiPAP machine.

Instructions

• 1

  Increase or decrease the heat setting on the BiPAP machine to adjust the humidifier. Ensure that the machine is plugged into a power supply, but neither in the on or off position when adjustments are made. Press the heat button to change the setting.

• 2

  Press the left or right user button to navigate to the flex screen. Press the heat button to increase the flex time or press the ramp button to decrease the flex time. The flex setting increases or decreases the amount of air pressure flow when you exhale.

• 3

  Change the rise time by pressing the left or right user button to scroll to the ramp screen.

• 4

  Press the heat button to increase the number and the ramp button to decrease the number. The rise time ranges from 1 for the fastest rise time to 6 for the slowest rise time. The rise setting regulates the amount of time it takes the machine to change from EPAP (exhaling) to IPAP (inhaling). This screen will only appear if your doctor has prescribed rise time.

• 5

  Navigate to the ramp pressure screen by pressing the left or right user button. Use the heat button to increase the ramp pressure and the ramp button to decrease the ramp pressure. The ramp pressure setting starts the BiPAP machine at a lower setting and slowly increases to a higher setting and allows for more comfort during the initial stages of sleep. This setting will only appear if your doctor has prescribed ramp pressure.