this post was submitted on 02 Feb 2024
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FDA says 561 deaths tied to recalled Philips sleep apnea machines (www.cbsnews.com)
submitted 9 months ago by MicroWave@lemmy.world to c/health@lemmy.world
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The Food and Drug Administration says 561 deaths have been reported in connection to recalled Philips devices to treat obstructive sleep apnea and other breathing disorders.

The FDA said that since April 2021 it has received more than 116,000 medical device reports of foam breaking down in Philips CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machines and BiPAP sleep therapy devices. That includes 561 reports of death, the agency said Wednesday.

The Dutch medical device maker has recalled millions of the breathing machines amid reports they were blowing gas and pieces of foam into the airways of those using the devices.

The grim tally comes days after Philips said it would stop selling the machines in the U.S. in a settlement with the FDA and the Justice Department expected to cost roughly $400 million, the company disclosed in a regulatory filing.

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[–] spamfajitas@lemmy.world 60 points 9 months ago

Shout-out to ProPublica for their relentless efforts to bring this to light, like https://www.propublica.org/article/philips-kept-warnings-about-dangerous-cpaps-secret-profits-soared

[–] jodanlime@midwest.social 17 points 9 months ago (1 children)

At one time Phillips was a well respected brand. Their domestic appliances division was acquired by Hillhouse, the same private equity firm that partially owns Tencent and Zoom. I'm not sure if they also manufacturer the sleep machines but after being a Hue and Norelco customer for years I won't give them another dime.

[–] fristislurper@feddit.nl 5 points 9 months ago

No, this is the 'original' Phillips, that is now focussed on medical devices. And hue lights are (confusingly) produced by yet another seperate former piece of Phillips: Signify, the former lighting devision.

[–] RandomPancake@lemmy.world 15 points 9 months ago (2 children)

I had a Philips Dreamstation that was recalled. I'm not sure exactly what happened but I started having an issue where I would feel extreme euphoria at random times throughout the day when I inhaled. It only happened when I used the Dreamstation. If I used my travel CPAP or my replacement Airsense, I had no problems.

I saw my PCP about it and we never figured it out. And again, it stopped when I switched devices.

I don't know what gases were being released but there's got to be a correlation.

[–] aurelian@lemmy.ml 5 points 9 months ago

The reason for the recall is due to the sound insulation material breaking down and being breathed in.

This certainly should not cause euphoria :?

[–] LufyCZ@lemmy.world 1 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Dunno doesn't sound too bad to me

[–] clif@lemmy.world 7 points 9 months ago

Not a bug, it's an undocumented feature.

[–] NightAuthor@lemmy.world 15 points 9 months ago (3 children)

And here I was thinking about getting one to improve my sleep… I’m a bit torn on whether death is an improvement.

[–] Dolphinfreetuna@lemmy.world 19 points 9 months ago

Either way solves sleep apnea

[–] Corigan@lemm.ee 6 points 9 months ago (1 children)

I mean there are other machine options thankfully

[–] NightAuthor@lemmy.world 7 points 9 months ago (2 children)

But I wasn’t even concerned about the device safety before, now I realize that a defect in a machine could result in some shit getting pumped straight into my airways.

[–] Corigan@lemm.ee 2 points 9 months ago

I hear you. I use one too and original wanted the Phillips one and my doc pushed me another way glad I followed there advice.

Scary but not waking up exhausted and with massive headaches is worth the risk for me... Fuck.i never knew for the longest time why I was always tired and dealing with what I thought were mindgrians

[–] Nastybutler@lemmy.world 2 points 9 months ago

Same. I was given a prescription for one right about the time ProPublica broke this story. Even though I wasn't looking to buy a Phillips branded one, I'm concerned other even less known brands may have the same issue, so I'm holding off for now. Much to my wife's chagrin.

[–] Chozo@kbin.social 5 points 9 months ago

Death is just premium sleep.

[–] FollyDolly@lemmy.world 3 points 9 months ago (2 children)

Well this scary as fuck. My husband is going to be tested for sleep apnea soon and now I really hope he doesn't have it.

[–] ____@infosec.pub 4 points 9 months ago

These deaths and the recall are specifically tied to particles from foam used for sound insulation that broke down.

First month or so with a machine is a bit of adjustment but otherwise they are generally safe and add literal years to the life of a user.

I agree the situation described in the link is terrifying but long term, sleep apnea is far more dangerous than treating it. I can’t recall another instance of serious illness or death tied to CPAP equipment aside from this one.

All the best to your husband, best case he either doesn’t have it or it’s very minor.

If the doc points you to a supplier for a machine, you are NOT obligated to use that supplier. Whether they only sell Philips, or you just don’t like the color of their building, you can and may ask for a prescription from the doctor and choose a supplier you feel comfortable with.

[–] fubarx@lemmy.ml 2 points 9 months ago

I have a couple of relatives who use ResMed machines and are pretty happy with them. There are other vendors.