If a patient calls complaining of water in the tubing of their CPAP, what is the best instruction for the sleep tech to provide?

When a patient experiences water in the tubing of their CPAP machine, adjusting the humidity temperature setting is often the most appropriate action. CPAP machines typically utilize a heated humidifier to add moisture to the air delivered to the patient. If the humidity level is too high, condensation can occur, leading to water accumulation in the tubing. By decreasing the humidity temperature setting, the level of moisture can be adjusted to prevent condensation and ensure a comfortable therapy experience for the patient.

Draining water from the tubing before each use may provide a temporary fix, but it does not address the underlying issue of humidity control, which is key to preventing the problem from recurring. Replacing equipment through a durable medical equipment provider may be unnecessary unless there are persistent issues beyond just condensation, and cleaning the interface exhalation ports, while important for overall hygiene and effectiveness, does not resolve the issue of condensation in the tubing. Thus, adjusting the humidity temperature setting is the best instruction in this scenario.