COVID-19 FAQ for Sleep Apnea Patients
RHS services are considered essential and as such our clinics remain open. We understand you may have some questions about what safety measures have been put in place to protect you and our healthcare teams. Respiratory Homecare Solutions encourages you to visit the Government of Canada website to review current information on the CPVOD-19. The contents below are provided for informational purposes only. Respiratory Homecare Solutions is unable to provide medical advice regarding COVID-19.
Yes! As a designated essential service, RHS clinics are continuing to offer in-person care by appointment only. Appointments are conducted with the highest level of safety measures in place to protect and safeguard you and our front-line teams against the spread of COVID-19. We understand you may have some questions about what safety measures have been put in place to protect you and our healthcare teams. Click here to read more about our increased safety measures.
Most of our clinics will be open with normal hours. Some of our clinics will be open with reduced hours. Please check our location hours or call our Service For Life team at 1-844-705-1240 for clinic hours. Currently, all of our locations are seeing patients by appointment only. If you would like to book an appointment call our service for life team at 1-844-705-1240.
To ensure the safety of our patients and our healthcare team members we have adapted our clinics including installing plexiglass shields, signage and floor decals. We have also implemented new clinic procedures for in-person appointments including:
- Pre-screening all patients for COVID-19 prior to accepting in-person appointments.
- Checking temperatures of all patients using non-contact forehead infrared thermometers.
- Requiring all RHS healthcare team members wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) during appointments.
- Requiring all patients bring their own mask and put on the mask prior to entering the clinic.
- Providing hand sanitizing stations and following strict hand hygiene protocols.
- Increasing the frequency of sanitization of high-touch areas and surfaces.
- Limiting the number of people in each clinic at one time and practicing physical distancing protocols.
- In some clinics, patients may be asked to wait in their cars until their scheduled appointment time.
No. We required all in-person visits to our clinics be by appointment at this time.
All in-person appointment information will be shared with you prior to your appointment. To ensure the safety of you and our team members you should be aware of the following safety measures for your in-person appointment:
- We request, if possible, that you attend your appointment alone.
- We request patients bring their own mask and put on the mask prior to entering the clinic. Masks or personal protective equipment is mandatory for our health care team and patients.
- Upon arrival, we encourage you to wait in your vehicle until your scheduled appointment time.
- We will perform patient temperature checks utilizing a non-contact forehead infrared thermometer.
- We request that you follow the physical distancing signage and remain 2 meters/6 feet apart from other patients and clinical team members.
- We require that you clean your hands with hand sanitizer before your appointment. Disinfecting stations will be available in our clinics.
Yes. We request patients bring their own mask and put on the mask prior to entering the clinic. Masks or Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is mandatory for our healthcare teams and patients.
Yes. We request patients bring their own mask and put on the mask prior to entering the clinic. Masks or Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is mandatory for our healthcare teams and patients.
Yes. Masks or Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) are required for all patients and healthcare teams. We request patients bring their own mask and put on the mask prior to entering the clinic.
In order to respect safe distances, we are limiting the number of people in clinics. We request that, if possible, you attend your in-person appointment alone. Our virtual appointments are better suited to include family or members of your care support team. If you would like to include a family member we would encourage you to book a virtual appointment. Contact your local clinic to book your virtual appointment.
Yes. To provide the safest experience for you and our health care teams, RHS is offering Virtual or TeleCare appointments. Contact us at 1-844-705-1240 to schedule a virtual appointment. You will be provided with all of the information you will need and instructions on how to set up your call prior to your appointment. Our virtual appointments will provide you with the same premium support and guidance as one of our in-person appointments.
Prior to your appointment, you will receive and email with your appointment date, time and setup instructions. If you have any questions or difficulties setting up your call, our healthcare team is available to assist you. Call the phone number at the bottom of your email for help.
Yes. RHS is offering contactless pickup for any supplies that you may require. Please contact your local office to place your order and arrange for pickup. RHS is offering free shipping of CPAP products and sleep accessories on orders over $75. You can order supplies online with our online ordering form and a Service For Life representative will contact you within one business day to provide you with a quote and confirm your order details.
There is no evidence that sleep apnea causes you to have a higher risk of getting the COVID-19. People who do have a higher risk for COVID-19 include:
- Older adults, especially in nursing homes
- Those who have serious medical disorders. These disorders include:
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Lung disease
- Kidney disease
- Those who have a medical disorder, or take a medication, that weakens the immune system
- Those who have had close contact with another person who has the COVID-19
If you are sick with the COVID-19, you should follow current Government of Canada recommendations and talk to your physician before stopping any medical treatments.
If you have symptoms of COVID-19 or have tested positive for COVID-19, using CPAP may potentially spread infectious droplets further than normal nighttime breathing. To avoid putting bed partners at increased risk, anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 should sleep in a separate room and maintain distances from others in the house.
It is unclear whether CPAP could make the COVID-19 worse. Talk to your physician if you have any concerns.
You should clean your CPAP mask and humidifier daily. A deep cleaning of all CPAP equipment should be completed at least once a week. It is unclear if extra cleaning is required due to the COVID-19. It is important to continue to properly clean and disinfect your CPAP equipment on a regular basis including the mask, air tubing and humidifier. Wash your face and hands prior to putting on the CPAP mask and using the CPAP machine. Daily and weekly cleaning steps are outlined below:
Daily Equipment Cleaning
- Clean your mask daily with warm water and mild soap then rinse and let it air dry. Alternatively, wipe your mask every day with a CPAP mask wipe. CPAP mask wipes are a simple and effective way to keep your mask clean. Contact your local RHS office or our Service For Life (SFL) team at 1-844-705-1240 to order additional CPAP mask wipes.
- When not in use, empty the water from the humidifier chamber, rinse it and let it air dry. Do not leave water sitting in the humidifier.
- Refill the chamber with distilled water prior to using the machine.
Weekly Equipment Cleaning
- Mask – Disassemble your mask and in a sink, soak your mask cushion and headgear. To remove any oils, gently rub with mild soap and warm water. Rinse and let air dry.
- Hose – Soak your hose in warm soapy water, rinse the inside and outside of the tubing with water and let air dry.
- Humidifier – Soak the humidifier in a solution of 1-part white vinegar and 3-part water for 15-20 minutes.
- Rinse all parts with warm water and allow the parts to air dry.
Before re-starting CPAP therapy, we recommend setting your CPAP machine aside for 3 days and then deep cleaning it. To deep clean your CPAP equipment follow the weekly equipment cleaning steps that includes thoroughly washing all CPAP parts with mild soap and warm water and run your humidifier through the dishwasher (if applicable).
If I have COVID-19, can I still send my CPAP device, mask or accessories for repairs or replacement?
If you require repairs or replacement of your CPAP device, mask or accessories, please call RHS at 1-800-839-9046 to discuss your options. It is important that you have the required sleep equipment to maintain your optimal sleep therapy.
According to CPAP manufacturers, optimal humidifier performance requires distilled water to prevent mineral buildup in the humidifier tub. If distilled water is unavailable, tap or bottled water may also be used. It will not harm the device or pose a risk to you. Use of tap or bottled water will require more rigorous humidifier cleaning to prevent excess mineral buildup in the tub.
A mask that hasn’t been cleaned & maintained properly can expose you to germs that could lead to health problems and skin breakouts.
No, the filter in a CPAP machine only keeps dust out of the machine and does not filter out germs. The air from your machine will be no different than the air you breathe. It is recommended to replace your filters monthly or at a minimum every 3 months.
As your CPAP mask and other CPAP accessories start to age the materials they are made of start to break down. Your mask and hose absorb dirt even if you clean it daily. The silicon interface starts to lose it’s flexibility and your mask seal will worsen, which will affect your sleep therapy. As your mask ages, this silicon will develop micro abrasions, a tiny microscopic tear or hole, that become breeding grounds for germs. After six months, even a freshly cleaned mask retains germs.
The manufacturers recommend replacing your CPAP mask, hose and water chambers every 6 months and replacing your CPAP machine filter at least every 3 months. Contact your local RHS office or our Service For Life (SFL) team at 1-800-839-9046 to order replacement parts.
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