"please keep me updated about oximeters "
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Leak rate
Am looking thru the screens on my Respironics and now wonder about "Leak Rate" What is normal, ways to decrease leaks?
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Judy on
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There isn't a "normal" Leak rate. However, there are Leak rates that are acceptable, allowed and even deliberately "built in" to your mask.
An "acceptable" Leak rate "range" depends on the allowed vent rent built into your mask at specific pressures. You need to dig out your mask's literature. It will contain a chart graph w/the allowed vent rate numbers in L/M (litres per minute) running up the left side of the table and pressure levels in cms along the bottom. There will also be a curved line in the graph itself. Find your pressure setting along the bottom and look up to where the curve lands at that point on the graph. Look to the left for the level of L/M your pressure setting meets.
From this point on you need to tell us your brand and model of xPAP you are using before we can tell you how to determine what your "acceptable" Leak rate is. Your xPAP can compensate for Leaks up to your "acceptable" Leak rate. Above that "acceptable" Leak rate you cannot rely on the accuracy of your data.
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Sorry I didn't give enough information. I am using a Respironics RemStar Auto M series with A-Flex with a pressure of 8. I use a size small Respironics OptiLife CPAP Mask Cradle Cushion. I did not recieve an owners manual with my mask only with the machine.
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Yer in luck. I have an OptiLife here and I was using the nasal cradle cushion as well!!!
Ooops! No, you're NOT. I can't find WHERE I put the literature! I have the literature for every doggone mask I've tried stashed here - except the OptiLife's. I can't find where or put it nor WHY I didn't put it w/all the others!!!! I'll have to search some more and get back to you if I find it. Sorry.
You SHOULD have been given the literature and if I remember even a CD came w/the OptiLIfe. I can't imagine where I would have stashed them!!! But just so you know, you were either short changed or you've stashed it w/your Respironics M Series Auto's literature w/o realizing it. Check to make sure.
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Am thinking that I got short changed because I have been thru every scrap of info I was given, got a manual for the machine and heated humidifier and cradles in 2 sizes and nasal pillows in small, medium and large. Definitely no CD or book for the masks. I really thank you for trying to help. Guess I can call the DME provider tomorrow.
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Most definitely I would. Its a little easier to explain tho since you have a Respironics. You would, if you had it, look in your mask literature at the table chart for the allowed vent rate at your set pressure.
You would then SUBTRACT that allowed vent rate from your reported Leak rate to determine your true 90th percentile Leak rate. 90th percentile is the rate AT OR BELOW which you spent 90% of the night.
I "think" that Respironics has a website for Respironics users (Resmed has one at myresmed.com) where you register your equipment and can go for information, etc. Maybe if you contacted them they would e-mail or snail mail you the mask literature. I would do so and tell them that you are asking because your local DME supplier didn't supply that literature w/your mask.
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Permalink Reply by Mike on
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i have a little cheat sheet with this stuff written down. i get that your leak rate should be at or under 20 with the Respironics OptiLife mask and a pressure of 8.
Judy said:Most definitely I would. Its a little easier to explain tho since you have a Respironics. You would, if you had it, look in your mask literature at the table chart for the allowed vent rate at your set pressure.
You would then SUBTRACT that allowed vent rate from your reported Leak rate to determine your true 90th percentile Leak rate. 90th percentile is the rate AT OR BELOW which you spent 90% of the night.
I "think" that Respironics has a website for Respironics users (Resmed has one at myresmed.com) where you register your equipment and can go for information, etc. Maybe if you contacted them they would e-mail or snail mail you the mask literature. I would do so and tell them that you are asking because your local DME supplier didn't supply that literature w/your mask.
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