The humidification system DreamStation (3050)
Key points below
What is a humidification system?
The humidification system has many parts. Together, the parts deliver warm, moist air and oxygen to your child's trach tube. This air helps keep the secretions thin. Secretions in the lungs can block the trach tube if they are too thick.1. DreamStation CPAP Device
Purpose
This machine is where air flow comes from. The air travels to the heater, and delivers the warm, moist air to your child. This machine is not where oxygen comes from.
Guidelines
- Keep the device free from dirt and dust.
- Keep curtains and bedding away from the device.
- Do not put the device against the wall. Do not block the filter.
- Do not smoke near the device.
- Keep the device on a smooth, flat surface.
Procedure
- To check the pressure, turn on the CPAP device.
- Be sure that the device is set to a pressure of 4.
- Disconnect your tubing from the back of the device to listen for, and to feel air flow if you are not sure.
Troubleshooting
- Is the device plugged into the outlet?
- Is the electrical outlet working?
- Is the CPAP device on?
- Is the filter clear and clean?
- Is the pressure set to 4?
If the device still does not work, call your home healthcare provider.
2. Heater
Purpose
To heat up the air from your CPAP device, which will deliver warm, moist air to your child’s trach tube. It will alert you to temperatures too hot, or too cool.
Guidelines
- Make sure the temperature probe, and heater wire adapter are in good working order.
- To see the temperature, your machine may display this on the front panel (as shown above). For some machines, you will need to push and hold the Alarm Silence button.
- Make sure you have the right amount of water in the heater canister.
- You can use sterile or distilled water in the canister, not tap water.
- If possible, do not place the heater set up near a window or vent.
Note: The CPAP device and the heater work together. One cannot be on without the other.
Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting
- Is the heater plugged into the outlet?
- Is the electrical outlet working?
- Is the heater on?
- Is the temperature probe connected?
- Is the temperature probe broken?
- Is the heater wire adapter connected?
- Is the heater wire adapter broken?
- Is there water in the canister?
- Is there air flow coming from the CPAP device?
- If all else fails, change the circuit.
- If the heater still does not work, call your home healthcare provider.
3. Circuit (tubing) set up
Supplies
Supplies
- Trach collar mask
- 1-six inch length of corrugated tubing
- Package of corrugated tubing with heater wire
- Temperature probe
- Heater wire adapter
- Water chamber
- Bag of sterile water (if provided by your home healthcare provider)
- Oxygen tubing (if your child is on oxygen, you will need 2)
- Reducing adapter
- One way valve
- Bacteria Filter
- Multi-access adapter, if using oxygen
Special directions
• If any water collects in the corrugated tubing, drain it away from your child.
• The corrugated tubing should always be kept below the level of your child’s chest (not draped over a crib railing or pack ‘n play).
• Always have a supply of inhalation water for the humidifier.
NOTE:
- Refer to Oxygen teaching sheet #3054 if your child requires the use of supplementary oxygen.
- Refer to HME teaching sheet #3034 for information on portable humidity setups.