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How do I Troubleshoot CPAP Machines?

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) treatment is designed to inflate the upper airway of a person with obstructive sleep apnea, allowing normal breathing through the night. CPAP machines are designed for thousands of hours of continuous operation, and very little tends to go wrong with them. If you notice a problem with your CPAP equipment's operation, there could be a problem with the settings or with the machine's position.

  1. Low Pressure

    • Check the ramp settings if the pressure seems too low. The CPAP is ramping when it lowers pressure temporarily so that the patient can go to sleep before it returns to full pressure. The ramp time is adjustable on most CPAP machines, and can sometimes be extended for more than half an hour. If it seems that the CPAP machine is never coming up to full pressure, check how long the ramp time is set for and adjust if necessary. Also, some CPAP machines don't reach full pressure until the patient is actually wearing the mask.

    Warm Air

    • Clean filters if the air in the mask seems too warm. Clogged filters can reduce air flow to the CPAP's motor, causing it to overheat. Make sure the coarse outer filter on the CPAP is washed and completely dried at least once a month. If the fine-particle filter beneath the coarse filter is visibly gray, replace it. In addition, make sure that bedding or pillows are not blocking the air intake on the machine.

    Condensation

    • Adjust the humidity setting if condensation is forming in the air tube. If the CPAP is equipped with a heated humidifier, it is usually possible to adjust how much moisture is added to the air as it exits the machine. If the surrounding air is cool, it is possible for the moisture to condense in the air tube and collect at any low points in it, to the point that the water makes a gurgling sound when the patient inhales. Reduce the humidity setting or increase air temperature to prevent this.

    Erratic Screen

    • Check the placement of the machine if the screen seems erratic. The LCD screens on CPAP machines are very sensitive to sources of electromagnetic interference, such as TV monitors, halogen lights or large stereo speakers. If you have moved the CPAP machine away from all sources of interference and the screen still seems distorted or flickering, contact your respiratory therapist to have the equipment replaced or serviced.

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