Phillips / Philips Respironics recent recall notice discussion thread

[WearyOne]

I have a System One 60 and they said it cannot be replaced or refurbished so offered me $50 for it.

Philips was not going to repair and refurbish older systems one devices as they are over 5 years old and past their normal lifespan.
The option to accept $50 for the system one 560 or $25 for the 550 was a offer that was made but you also had the option to reject that and request a replacement with that of a newer model if you provided a prescription. Philips is no longer requiring the prescription and you can opt for a Auto Cpap set to default values. one caution is if you submit prioritization and have any health issue selected they may return you to waiting for a prescription status because of that health issue.
Visit the patient Portal https://www.philipspatientportal.expertinquiry.com/

I didn't see this option at all so will try again when I get back home and input that serial number again.

I got a new Email from them telling me what you said but I went onto the site and it was having trouble accessing their server was the message that kept coming up. Will try tomorrow and will choose the autoset option as that is what my machine was set at by me at 7 min to 20 maximum and don't want to bother with getting a copy of my prescription. My machine only has 8325 blower hours while my Air sense 10 has 10325 run hours. Want to get that Dream Station as a backup or see how it works for me.

I had a System One 60 and System One 50. Using the option to get a machine without a prescription with the default setting, I received a new DS2 several weeks ago and a refurbished DS1 today. I know how to set the pressure on these to what was on my old machine, which is good since the first appointment I could get with my sleep center is in November! (It's been years since I've been there, so it's set up a a new patient visit. Yes, they knew it was mainly to get a prescription for these replacement machines. At the time I made the appointment, the option wasn't there to get the machines without a prescription. Glad Phillips changed it.)

[palerider]

Speaking of Philips' business smarts...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WE58YisgFeQ

[jonquiljo]

I have gone back and forth with Philips - it’s just not worth it anymore. Finally they say they will replace two DS1’s with default settings.

Then yesterday I got a call from someone wanting me to confirm these requests AGAIN at the patient portal. The rep did not know my address or e-mail — even though I gave this to them many times in many forms.

I then asked if I would be getting a refurb DS-1 or new DS-2’s —- and the rep didn’t know anything about it. When I see it, I’ll believe it. But given the debacle of the last 2 years, I really don’t trust Philips. Who could trust a company that acts so stupid?

[jonquiljo]

What crap! I finally received my "remediating" machine today (well, one of two). It was a Refurb DS-1 without the humidifier. It came with instructions on how to change a modem from my old device. Boy is Philips cheap!

I waited a year and 1/2 +++ for this junk, and I get a refurb for a machine that I hadn't even used?

I told Philips many times I could not use a refurb machine as I have chronic leukemia. My oncologist said not to breathe through any used machine ever. I filled this out on some form I filled out a long time ago and told the Philips rep when they called me last week. REFURB's CANNOT BE USED. I am self-pay so there is no insurance billed DME involved.

I see nothing about returning anything to anyone. Can I just dump all this in the trash and be done with Philips forever? From now on it's ResMed. ResMed masks and ResMed machines. No Philips products whatsoever!

This company makes me sick! Actually they probably have.

[Oughtsix]

How do you know if the DS1 replacements are refurb or new? Or are all DS1 remediation machines refurbs?

I received a DS1 today to replace a System One machine. I am using it currently and like it other than the new machine smell. I like that my System One heated tubes plug into the DS1. Hopefully I will get a DS2 for my other replacement as I would like the smaller foot print for camping and traveling. I like the AirCurve 10 I have been using but being able to run a Philips machine directly off a battery is a huge advantage for camping.

Oh.. I looked at the bottom of the DS1 and it is clearly marked "Recertified". It also doesn't like the battery which works great with my System One. I am a little disappointed, especially about my LiFePO4 battery pack not running the DS1.

[jonquiljo]

Yup, “Recertified”. Philips should not be sending out refurbished machines unless they have them literally sterilized and certified as such. In my case (with) leukemia), I’m incredibly immunosuppressed. I still have to wear N95 masks for Covid when going anywhere.

Also, they’ve had problems with some recertified sound perfection failing before, yet they continue with this process.

Then there’s some nonsense about swapping the modem from my old machine to the refurb, and of course the humidifier. Then they want what is left over sent back to them.

Philips makes a big deal about a CPAP being a medical device, but then they treat it like some garage sale junk. Not only have they ruined their current CPAP business, but have likely lost many or most of their previous customers forever.

[beautifuldreamer]

Ok I think i finally give up on trying to get a replacement for my system one (bipap and ASV)- they recently told me they need my doctor's office to call them to speak to the prescriptions department and my doctor's office told me they would not call but only reply to a fax from them with the request of what they would like.

oh well, at least i have a resmed that i currently am using . . .

maybe i should have just gone for the 50 dollars . . .

[Oughtsix]

The first night with the REFURB DS1 was fine. I couldn't tell any difference from my AirSense 10 once I got the DS1 dialed in with settings that I like.

My REFURB DS1 looks and smells brand new. Like Philips "might" have actually torn it apart and rebuilt it???

Personally I am OK with a refurb... but I don't have a weakened immune system. (My father passed away from Leukemia and I remember what it did to his body).

I do not like that my LiFePO4 battery pack will not run the DS1 like it did my System One. I am thinking I may remove the foam from my System One's and use one as a camping CPAP. Neither of my System One's have a working heater but I don't run the heater when I am camping, I just put water in the humidifier and run it cold.

[Aretino]

No confidence in Phillips especially with a referb unit. Replaced my DS1 air chamber with a foam free chamber.

[Lane101]

How do you know if the DS1 replacements are refurb or new? Or are all DS1 remediation machines refurbs?

I received a DS1 today to replace a System One machine. I am using it currently and like it other than the new machine smell. I like that my System One heated tubes plug into the DS1. Hopefully I will get a DS2 for my other replacement as I would like the smaller foot print for camping and traveling. I like the AirCurve 10 I have been using but being able to run a Philips machine directly off a battery is a huge advantage for camping.

Oh.. I looked at the bottom of the DS1 and it is clearly marked "Recertified". It also doesn't like the battery which works great with my System One. I am a little disappointed, especially about my LiFePO4 battery pack not running the DS1.

You can use the same 12 volt battery that works with your System One with the DS1 if you buy a Philips shielded DC power cord. It will plug into a 12v cigarette lighter socket. Same cord works for DS1 and DS2 machines. Cost of around $30. They added a third line through a 22K resistor that the machine looks for to force purchase of their proprietary cord. Resmed has done the same thing. I have one and it works well.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/pr-dre ... ed-dc-cord

[Lane101]

Yup, “Recertified”. Philips should not be sending out refurbished machines unless they have them literally sterilized and certified as such. In my case (with) leukemia), I’m incredibly immunosuppressed. I still have to wear N95 masks for Covid when going anywhere.

Also, they’ve had problems with some recertified sound perfection failing before, yet they continue with this process.

Then there’s some nonsense about swapping the modem from my old machine to the refurb, and of course the humidifier. Then they want what is left over sent back to them.

Philips makes a big deal about a CPAP being a medical device, but then they treat it like some garage sale junk. Not only have they ruined their current CPAP business, but have likely lost many or most of their previous customers forever.

Appears to be a lot of confusion with a second Philips recall of some refurbished machines with the press sometimes claiming these were CPAPs. Checked the actual FDA notification and these were all ventilators that were part of the recall. Bits of old foam were left in and there were adhesion problems with the new foam that could detach and block air flow - not a good outcome with a ventilator. Per one newscast from Texas roughly 20,000 machines were recalled a second time.

[jonquiljo]

Appears to be a lot of confusion with a second Philips recall of some refurbished machines with the press sometimes claiming these were CPAPs. Checked the actual FDA notification and these were all ventilators that were part of the recall. Bits of old foam were left in and there were adhesion problems with the new foam that could detach and block air flow - not a good outcome with a ventilator. Per one newscast from Texas roughly 20,000 machines were recalled a second time.

And these are just the problems we hear about. Frankly all the “foam” problems that Respironics has had have really wrecked their credibility. Just the fact that they put any sound abatement foam the the path of air flow shows that their engineers are really not terribly bright.

Then the way that they have handled the recall(s) had made the look like a total ship of fools. All this has put ResMed in a position to clean up. Until now, Respironics has survived by making inferior (cheaper) machines and allowing distributors to give steep discounts. But now, given the way Respironics has a shattered reputation with a shattered balance sheet, they may never recover.

How many people here feel comfortable buying a new Respironics machines the future? Likely not many.

[chunkyfrog]

Due to cost saving measures, Philips' refurb line is offshore--waaaay offshore.
Training the "techs" has been problematic; as using a screwdriver is beyond the ability
of creatures accustomed to flinging feces at one another.

[FifthAvenue]

Due to cost saving measures, Philips' refurb line is offshore--waaaay offshore.
Training the "techs" has been problematic; as using a screwdriver is beyond the ability
of creatures accustomed to flinging feces at one another.

Please remove this insensitive, racist quote. Thanks.

[Lane101]

Appears to be a lot of confusion with a second Philips recall of some refurbished machines with the press sometimes claiming these were CPAPs. Checked the actual FDA notification and these were all ventilators that were part of the recall. Bits of old foam were left in and there were adhesion problems with the new foam that could detach and block air flow - not a good outcome with a ventilator. Per one newscast from Texas roughly 20,000 machines were recalled a second time.

And these are just the problems we hear about. Frankly all the “foam” problems that Respironics has had have really wrecked their credibility. Just the fact that they put any sound abatement foam the the path of air flow shows that their engineers are really not terribly bright.

Then the way that they have handled the recall(s) had made the look like a total ship of fools. All this has put ResMed in a position to clean up. Until now, Respironics has survived by making inferior (cheaper) machines and allowing distributors to give steep discounts. But now, given the way Respironics has a shattered reputation with a shattered balance sheet, they may never recover.

How many people here feel comfortable buying a new Respironics machines the future? Likely not many.

I've a different take on Philips versus other manufacturers. It may turn out that they were the only one to come clean on their foam issues that others have just continued to sweep under the rug. Some data points:

1)When I disposed of a decade+ old Puritan Bennett Goodknight machine a few years ago I took it apart and found the foam had degraded into play doh like mush similar to some of the Philips units. Never used a ozone cleaner on this or any machine. Any machine that can have this issue may warrant a recall and, per others posts, there are still a number of them in use out there.

2)After the Philips recall other manufacturers like Devilbiss or Apex decided to exit the CPAP market. Devilbiss put out a notice that, while they use the same foam as Philips, they did not see many complaints so presume there to be no issue. Of course they see few complaints with a market share that is a tiny fraction of Philips who only had a few hundred pre-recall regarding foam breakdown. Strong possibility these companies withdrew from the market to avoid future product liability issues similar to what Philips is facing.

3)Resmed claims that is uses different foam that does not degrade like Philips. Per some industry data, published here a while ago, their foam type could be more susceptible to degradation. Additionally they face similar foam degradation issues with ozone cleaner use to the point where they now void their warranty when these cleaners are used. My sense, from what I saw in my Goodknight machine, is that the type of foam recalled degrades naturally and what the ozone is doing is rapidly accelerating the process so that it becomes an issue within the "typical" 5 year machine life. Would love to see an independent assessment of their foam.

Right now, given all the scrutiny, Philips machines could be the safest ones on the market because they've actually addressed this "elephant in the room" issue unlike the rest of the industry. Would like to see the FDA validate the safety of the other machines that have been on the market over the past 5 -10 years as there is a good chance that there are safety issues similar to those that Philips has been addressing since the recall.