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COVID-19: ResMed is ready to respond

Looking for ResMed information on COVID-19? See below for regular and up-to-date communications, as well as handy ResMed product information.

ResMed is closely monitoring the COVID-19 coronavirus situation and working to help global healthcare systems manage this pandemic. As manufacturers of ventilators and other life-saving respiratory care devices, many questions are being asked about our role, so please allow us to provide an update.

As you will be aware, there is currently a short supply for ventilators worldwide. Our top focus now is to do as much as we can to boost our manufacturing capability to meet the increased demand.

The Australian Government has enlisted our support in response to this situation, and we’ve agreed to immediately let them oversee distribution and prioritise most urgent COVID-19 related cases. We're currently finalising the new process for Australian ventilator requests and will make this available shortly.

The process for New Zealand ventilator requests is now ready. You must, however, use this enquiry form (NZ COVID-19 requests only).

For ventilator requests not related to COVID-19, standard procedures apply. However, despite our increased production, the supply of all AstralTM, StellarTM and LumisTM ventilators is limited. We will therefore only fulfil these requests on a case-by-case basis to ensure our ventilators go where they are most needed.

Let us take this opportunity to thank all individuals and organisations who are working to fight this virus and helping all those affected. Your courage and commitment is an example to us all for the testing times ahead.

To keep you informed, we will continue to update this page with relevant information as we receive it. We have also compiled a list of frequently asked questions and product resources for your reference below.

Latest Announcements

April 22nd, 2020

External factors outside of our control have impacted our supply of ventilator circuit components. We will notify you directly if your order has been affected. Although we are striving to fill your order as soon as we can, we do expect delays of 3 months or more. We understand if you choose to source items elsewhere to meet urgent needs.



March 30th, 2020

Due to diminished stocks of our Stellar 150 & Lumis 150 VPAP ST-A ventilators, we have placed a hold on their orders until they become available. We appreciate your understanding.

mick-farrell

 

Message from our CEO Mick Farrell

As a global leader in respiratory medicine, ResMed stands with the world in the face of the latest coronavirus disease COVID-19 and is ready to help mitigate its effects, helping people breathe while their immune system fights this virus. More than 7,500 ResMedians are working in over 140 countries for this purpose. We are working with governments, health authorities, hospitals, physicians, and patients worldwide to assess their needs, and to deliver the ventilation therapy that is essential to treat the respiratory complications of COVID-19. Our primary focus is to maximize the availability of ResMed ventilators and other respiratory support devices for the patients that need them most.

As global leaders in digital health, we’re proud that many of our ventilators and bilevel respiratory devices are cloud-connected, enabling physicians and respiratory specialists to remotely monitor their patients. There could not be a clearer case for the use of digital health and remote monitoring of patients than this current crisis with a virus that is so contagious stemming from direct human contact.


I’m grateful to our global team for working through today’s challenges to help treat an increasing number of COVID-19 patients. I’d like to call out first-responder ResMedians in China’s Hubei province, the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak, in particular one ResMed hero who, since early January, has donned a positive pressure hazmat suit, and helped set up thousands of people on ResMed ventilators and ResMed masks. There are also 100-plus ResMedians from Malaysia who in mid-March volunteered to keep working in our Singapore manufacturing plant when Malaysia closed its borders, relocating to live near our plant in Singapore, spending weeks away from their families, so they can continue to produce as many lifesaving ventilators and ventilation masks as possible.


ResMed is taking every measure possible worldwide to maximize the production of ventilators, masks, and other respiratory devices. We are looking to double or triple the output of ventilators, and scale up ventilation mask production more than tenfold. Our team is also taking precautions such as a work-from-home policy for all employees who can do that, social distancing, and ensuring world-class quality, safety, good manufacturing practices, and top-level hygiene procedures at our manufacturing, service, and distribution centers to help ensure quality, safety, and business continuity.


Below you’ll find answers to frequently asked questions about ResMed products and links to leading advice from experts on health and safety. This information is changing rapidly; we encourage you to check back regularly for updates.


I urge all of us to do our part to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus, whether that is self-quarantining, working from home, sheltering in place, or just staying healthy for our families, particularly the elderly and those with compromised immune systems.


Let me close with this: I would like to personally thank the front-line clinical heroes – many thousands of respiratory therapists, respiratory nurses, pulmonary and critical care medicine physicians, as well as hospital and clinical staff who set up our ventilators and masks for patients in need and deliver the lifesaving gift of breath... You are the superheroes of this COVID-19 crisis, and we salute you!


Best,
Mick

Update, February 2021:

I’m proud to report ResMed exceeded its goal of tripling its usual output of ventilators in the first 12 months of the COVID-19 pandemic, providing 150,000+ invasive and non-invasive breathing devices in just the first half of 2020, when demand was highest. That’s 3.5 times ResMed’s half-year production.

As a global leader in digital health, ResMed also accelerated the development and rollout of digital health tools this past year:

  • Enabling European clincians to remotely monitor ventilated patients, including those who needed help breathing while fighting off the COVID-19 virus;
  • Making remote CPAP mask setup easier and accurate for U.S. equipment providers
  • Registering its 3 millionth CPAP user for ResMed’s patient engagement app, myAir that, along with remote monitoring, helps raise CPAP adherence up to 87%
  • Helping nearly 2,000 U.S. nursing and long-term care facilities track vaccinations of over 90,000 residents and employees and counting


Thanks to 7,500+ ResMedians worldwide who have overcome unprecedented challenges to help millions sleep, breathe, and live better lives, including hundreds of thousands striken with the coronavirus. And thanks again and always to the superheroes of this crisis: thousands of frontline healthcare workers who provide daily care to patients and seniors everywhere. You are not only a source of critical care, but a companion in a time of unique isolation and social distancing, often putting yourself and your families in harm’s way to keep countless others healthy and safe. We are forever in your debt.

Read More - February 2021 update

For your safety

To reduce your risk of contracting and/or spreading COVID-19, please follow these published guidelines for:

FAQs - ResMed respiratory devices used for COVID-19

Based on the latest information we’ve gathered, here is the latest guidance on ResMed devices related to COVID-19.



Can a CPAP machine be used as a ventilator?

CPAP devices are designed to provide PAP (positive airway pressure) therapy only. Regular use of a CPAP machine (if your patient has been prescribed one) will help them stay healthy and alert, which is especially important during this time. ResMed does manufacture and sell a range of ventilation devices. For more information click here.

What is a ventilator, and what does it do?

ResMed manufactures a range of ventilators and bilevel devices; both are indicated for home and hospital use, and have the flexibility for use in various clinical scenarios to support patients with respiratory insufficiency and failure. Our ventilators can provide invasive or non-invasive ventilation:

  • Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) is a form of mechanical ventilation where air is delivered to the patient through a mask or mouthpiece.
  • Invasive ventilation is used when sufficient ventilation cannot be achieved using non-invasive methods; air is delivered through a tube inserted into the trachea either by intubation or tracheotomy.
  • Bilevel devices are non-invasive only and deliver two distinct pressures, one for inhalation and the second for exhalation; the change in pressures leads to flow of air in and out of the lungs.
How does a patient obtain a ventilator, oxygen, or bilevel device if they're diagnosed with COVID-19 - and which would they need?

If a patient has been tested and diagnosed with COVID-19, they need to follow the recommendation of the healthcare professional that provided the diagnosis. The therapy required to treat the worst cases of COVID-19 is very complex and requires medical expertise and clinically trained staff to administer it. The healthcare professional has the expertise to decide what kind of therapy is required for each individual.

If a patient has COVID-19, can it spread while they're on invasive or non-invasive ventilation?

Information is changing daily, but the latest we’ve seen suggests that:

  • Invasive ventilation carries a lower risk of spreading COVID-19 through aerosolization or droplet dispersion (exhaling air particles that have a contagion) because air exits through a tube just as it came into the patient.
  • Non-invasive ventilation: Evidence suggests that non-invasive ventilation procedures are more likely to produce large droplets (>10 μm) rather than aerosols, and that these are largely confined to within one meter due to their large mass. This suggests that the risk of droplet dispersion as a result of using non-invasive ventilation or bilevel devices may not be that different to that of any COVID-19 patient in the hospital who is coughing or sneezing. Additionally, non-invasive ventilation systems with a good interface fitting do not create widespread dispersion of exhaled air, according to an experts’ panel cited by the U.S. National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Recommendations have been published to support good mask fit to reduce aerosols, including the use of full face masks. Nonetheless, the risk of aerosol dispersion needs to be mitigated with appropriate isolation of patients and the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers, such as N95 masks/respirators and eye protection, which are standard protective equipment in a COVID-19 ICU.
If a patient is diagnosed with COVID-19 and needs a ventilator, is it safe for them to use a reprocessed one (that another patient used)?

For each ResMed device, cleaning and disinfection procedures are provided in the device’s associated clinical guide, user guide, or service manual.

There is little information available on reprocessing requirements for equipment used in treating COVID-19 patients. The following information is based on research that has been conducted on similar viruses, and some limited data on COVID-19.

Published guidance from health authorities reinforces the need to maintain standard cleaning and disinfection procedures. To prevent cross-contamination, antibacterial filters are used on air intake and breathing tubes, and tube accessories are replaced or sterilized by the staff in the care setting. Instructions are provided on the materials and method for cleaning surfaces. Surface disinfection procedures with 62–71% ethanol, 0.5% hydrogen peroxide, or 0.1% sodium hypochlorite have been shown to reduce SARS coronavirus infectivity within one minute.

Are ResMed products "Made in China" safe?

Yes, all components of ResMed products made in China are safe for use. All finished products sold outside China are built outside China, and all components received at a ResMed manufacturing facility (in Sydney or Singapore) go through rigorous safety, cleanliness, and quality checks before manufacturing – processes designed to safeguard against such health threats as COVID-19.

FAQs - ResMed respiratory devices used for existing sleep/respiratory conditions

Based on the latest information we’ve gathered, here is the latest guidance on sleep/respiratory conditions related to COVID-19.



Can a CPAP machine be used as a ventilator?

CPAP devices are designed to provide PAP (positive airway pressure) therapy only. Regular use of a CPAP machine (if your patient has been prescribed one) will help them stay healthy and alert, which is especially important during this time. ResMed does manufacture and sell a range of ventilation devices. For more information click here.

If a patient has COVID-19, can their device, mask, or accessory be sent back for repairs or replacement?

Yes. ResMed already has strict safety protocols for handling returned medical equipment. We follow those protocols to safely receive, repair, and dispose of returned equipment if necessary. Please contact our Customer Care team on 1800 991 900 if you have any questions or concerns about sending your patient’s device, mask, or accessory back to a ResMed Authorised Service Centre.

How can a ResMed device be decontaminated?

Recommendations on disinfection processes for our therapy devices can be found in the device’s associated clinical or disinfection guide.

Can a CPAP machine help prevent COVID-19?

A CPAP machine is an effective therapy device for treating sleep apnea. CPAP use doesn’t prevent patients from contracting COVID-19.

Can a patient give their CPAP device to a family member to treat COVID-19?

A patient’s CPAP device has been prescribed for personal use only and cannot be used by more than one person without following a disinfection protocol set forth in our clinical guide. A CPAP machine is used to treat sleep apnea.

Can a patient continue to use their CPAP machine if they're diagnosed with COVID-19?

Coronavirus doesn’t change their sleep apnea diagnosis – or their need to continue using CPAP therapy. If they’ve been prescribed a CPAP machine, they should continue to use it as directed to get a full night’s sleep and optimise their overall health. If a patient has been diagnosed with COVID-19, they need to follow the medical advice from their healthcare provider.

If a patient is diagnosed with COVID-19, should they continue to use their ResMed device or get a new one?

If a patient is being treated for COVID-19, they should share with their doctor or clinical team their pre-existing conditions and what devices they are already using and follow their advice. As described by the World Health Organization, the key risk for spreading COVID-19 is person-to-person transmission in close contact. The most important advice in controlling the spread of COVID-19 is washing your hands, good hygiene, and social distancing. Maintaining the cleanliness of their ResMed device according to the user guide is always a good practice to reduce infection risk to anyone else from any contaminated surfaces.

Will using CPAP help a patient if they're diagnosed with COVID-19?

A CPAP machine is only intended to treat sleep apnea.

Are patient's at greater risk for getting COVID-19 if they use their CPAP?

Patients are not at higher risk of catching COVID-19 if they use a CPAP device. Patients should ask their medical professional for more specific information about their concern.

How does a patient disinfect their CPAP machine and mask?

Disinfection processes for our therapy devices and masks can be found in the device’s associated clinical or disinfection guide or in our mask’s associated disinfection guide.

If a patient wishes to clean their CPAP machine, the device’s user guide explains how to clean it on a weekly basis. For detailed instructions on how to clean their mask and tubing, please refer them to the device’s user guide, and the following steps:

  1. Wash the air tubing in warm water using mild detergent and hot water. Do not wash in a dishwasher or washing machine.
  2. Rinse the air tubing thoroughly and allow to dry out of direct sunlight and/or heat.
  3. Wipe the exterior of the device with a dry cloth.

Please note: Cleaning any device or mask in the manner recommended in the product’s user guide does not guarantee decontamination or disinfection.

There's a shortage of distilled water where a patient lives. What can be used as an alternative for their CPAP humidification?

As stated in our clinical and user guides, *optimal* humidifier performance requires distilled water. That’s because most or all of its minerals have been removed, preventing mineral buildup in the humidifier tub. That said, tap or bottled water may also be used. It will not harm the device or pose a risk to patients. It will, however, require more rigorous humidifier cleaning to prevent excess mineral buildup in the tub.

Can a CPAP machine spread Coronavirus to a patient's bed partner?

The latest information says non-invasive ventilation (delivered by a mask with air diffusers) has a low risk of aerosolisation, provided that there’s a good mask fit, patient isolation, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for care providers.

Are ResMed products "Made in China" safe?

Yes, all components of ResMed products made in China are safe for use. All finished products sold outside China are built outside China, and all components received at a ResMed manufacturing facility (in Sydney or Singapore) go through rigorous safety, cleanliness, and quality checks before manufacturing – processes designed to safeguard against such health threats as COVID-19.

Can a patient use an anti-bacterial (AB) filter on their AirSense 10 or S9 CPAP device?

As described in the AirSense 10 and S9 Clinical guides, AB Filters can be used with these devices. Please note the instructions, specifications, and limitations of these filters described in the Clinical Guides. For example, see the note below for the AirSense 10 device. Note: Antibacterial filters increase resistance in the air circuit and may affect accuracy of displayed and delivered pressure, particularly at high flows.

ResMed product returns, service and repairs

ResMed product returns, service and repairs guide