[News] RECALL THREAD-- IMPORTANT PHILIPS DREAMSTATION & SYSTEM ONE USERS

[ghlani]

Hello! I just wanted to share a ProPublica article relevant to this thread! It's a continuation of their investigation into Philips and the recall. This one is specifically about the FDA and its failure to sufficiently intervene. I'm a new member to this forum, so I can't post links yet! If anyone is interested in reading, the article is titled: "Millions of People Used Tainted Breathing Machines. The FDA Failed to Use Its Power to Protect Them."

*** Moderator Note: Link Added. ***

New users do not have the ability to post links for the first 4 post, so lending a hand.  Millions of People Used Tainted Breathing Machines 

[btreger]

Hello! I just wanted to share a ProPublica article relevant to this thread! 

The article was posted 4 hours ago
Good choice for your first post, though

To post a link
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[WakeUpTime]

...when I opened the machine and cleaned it, I saw that the foam was extremely deteriorated.
Can you suggest me a material that I can use instead of this foam?

Earlier in the Recall, there were third party replacement chambers available for purchase with their foam inside, but one should naturally be concerned about the quality of foam used in those replacements - regardless of their claims.  When searching for those items, I found that most are discontinued and unavailable now.  Personally, I don't know anyone that did their own foam replacement with unofficial materials, though I remember viewing a few YouTube videos of people that did do that.  Rather risky, in my opinion.

Regarding your extensive cleaning, I hope you've cleaned the turbine blower too, as (if not mistaken) foam particles could get stuck in there too.  I believe the Philips blowers are able to be dismantled, whereas some other brands are sealed.

Have you considered going foamless?  Too noisy?  Concerned that your settings might be thrown off?  Have you tried that?

* You're right that a continuation on the subject is better suited either in its own thread or as a continuation of an existing foam removal thread.  You'll likely get more qualified responses that way.  Parse through those existing threads to see if there was anyone who did just what you're seeking to do, and give them a reply.  If you don't find anyone, it's likely too that most members wouldn't trust a third-party foam supplier.

[WakeUpTime]

PROPUBLICA
"Millions of People Used Tainted Breathing Machines. The FDA Failed to Use Its Power to Protect Them."

How the FDA Failed to Protect Millions of People From Tainted Breathing Machines — ProPublica

Such an excellent news article.  Thank you for posting it.

I'm struck by the numbers of device users who opened their machines to find significantly degraded (or completely eliminated) foam from their Philips Recalled devices.  It's likely that nearly all of those device users never had any indications for the breakdown of their device's foam into very small particles which they quietly unknowingly inhaled into their lungs.

Even if device owners did not use ozone cleaning systems, there are some that purchased used/refurbished devices, and others who had their devices periodically cleaned by their DME who used an ozone cleaning system.  For most device users, the amount of potentially inhaled foam particles will remain forever unknown.  

Most of us have participated in overnight sleep studies, with devices that have been cleaned hundreds of times.  I wonder what method of cleaning was used repeatedly by those sleep labs over the years.

The analysis and reporting by Philips was severely lacking in the years leading up to the Recall.  Once understanding that they had no choice but to launch a Recall, Philips likely took 6-12 months (or longer) to plan the Recall internally.  Some have suggested that the DreamStation 2 redesign was Philips' method of fixing the foam quality issues inherent in several product families.  In that case, Philips knew early in the planning stage of the DS2 that it had a significant problem in the marketplace.

Yes indeed, the FDA could/should have had better safety mechanisms in place to protect the health of individuals who had at least one significant health condition.  I now have great respect for those companies who understood the risks associated with using materials that didn't significantly exceed minimum standards.

[Hydrangea]

I saw their recent e-mail (for the class action lawsuit).  For not turning in my DreamStation, I'll get $55.  If I would have turned it in, I would have gotten $100.

I guess I should have succombed to their incessant e-mails requesting I turn it in.

P.S.  I am not using it - I just have it as my backup.

[Gideon]

As a minimum, I would defoam it.

[btreger]

The Senior

This is the last chance for Philips sleep apnoea and respiratory care machine replacement

Users of Philips-branded health machines subject to a recall have weeks to register their devices to get a repair or replacement.

Note: I have not seen this particular website before.

Philips sleep apnoea machine recall | The Senior | Senior

[Sleeprider]

It's hard to imagine there are still Philips customers left out there. I suspect this fiasco has resulted in one of the biggest transfers of market share any company has ever suffered. JMHO

[Sheepish]

I sent in my replacement request months and months, if not over a year ago, and I'm still waiting for the Philips dogsled to make it up to Canada.

[SuperSleeper]

Well, it's so bad that my wife wanted to purchase a Phillips electric toothbrush the other day, and I told her "no way".

So my distrust of them has extended into our dental decisions.