Hi all,
I know everyone is in a different NHS trust but I'm just curious how frequently you replace your NIV masks?
When mum was issued the NIV the hospital gave us one mask ResMed Airfit N20. She had to build up to using it during the day and eventually one night she just couldn't settle and started wearing it overnight. At this point I requested spares which the hospital duly obliged (sending 3 masks although one in the wrong size 🤷🏾♀️).
I read the instructions for the mask and it said the cushion should be replaced monthly- I noted the fact she wasn't using it excessively at first, so would change the whole mask less frequently.
Anyway I've now asked for further spares, as she has two machines. They sent us some last September but I'm down to one spare and on a previous occasion, I had to chase them up, so I thought I'd be organised and have them on standby when I need them. They've now said they cost a lot of money and to let them know which part is broken or deteriorated and they'll replace the parts rather then sending a whole set. Thankfully we kept the old masks, just in case we could use the elements in future. It looks like my mum may need to wear it while we shower her so planned to use an old one that could get wet.
I'm just a bit frustrated as she has a cough assist device (which she barely uses, bulbar onset, so struggles) but this must come with a contract with the supplier as we get quarterly supplies of tubing etc, so I can literally replace the tube and mask per use as I have so many and she uses it so infrequently. But the NIV which she uses nearly 24 h, I can't even have a set of spares.
Sorry just needed a moan, cause it's these small things that are so frustrating.
Thanks for reading
I know everyone is in a different NHS trust but I'm just curious how frequently you replace your NIV masks?
When mum was issued the NIV the hospital gave us one mask ResMed Airfit N20. She had to build up to using it during the day and eventually one night she just couldn't settle and started wearing it overnight. At this point I requested spares which the hospital duly obliged (sending 3 masks although one in the wrong size 🤷🏾♀️).
I read the instructions for the mask and it said the cushion should be replaced monthly- I noted the fact she wasn't using it excessively at first, so would change the whole mask less frequently.
Anyway I've now asked for further spares, as she has two machines. They sent us some last September but I'm down to one spare and on a previous occasion, I had to chase them up, so I thought I'd be organised and have them on standby when I need them. They've now said they cost a lot of money and to let them know which part is broken or deteriorated and they'll replace the parts rather then sending a whole set. Thankfully we kept the old masks, just in case we could use the elements in future. It looks like my mum may need to wear it while we shower her so planned to use an old one that could get wet.
I'm just a bit frustrated as she has a cough assist device (which she barely uses, bulbar onset, so struggles) but this must come with a contract with the supplier as we get quarterly supplies of tubing etc, so I can literally replace the tube and mask per use as I have so many and she uses it so infrequently. But the NIV which she uses nearly 24 h, I can't even have a set of spares.
Sorry just needed a moan, cause it's these small things that are so frustrating.
Thanks for reading
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