The Airsense 10 is a CPAP machine that is suitable for the treatment of patients in oxygenation failure. In YGC we use what we call ‘Triple Ten Therapy’ for patients with COVID-19: a pressure of 10, Oxygen flow of 10, on the Airsense 10.

The patient circuit is the equipment that connects a patient to a CPAP machine. There is a specific patient circuit that will be used in YGC for patients with COVID-19 that should be followed.

Patient interface

• The patient interface is a full-face, non-vented mask which fits over the patient’s nose and mouth and secured using straps.
• The mask should also have an oxygen entrainment valve in the side where oxygen is entrained at 10 litres/minute.
• The mask should be non-vented; this means that there is no exhalation valve which is important for infection control. The universal indication for a non-vented mask is that the elbow is blue, but other models of non-vented masks can be used in these patients and the colour of the elbow piece may vary.

HME filter (antibacterial-viral filter)

• The HME filter fits onto the elbow of the patient interface, and filters the air that the patient exhales.

Standard 22mm circuit tubing with exhalation valve

• The standard 22mm circuit tubing attaches to the back of the CPAP machine.
• The end of the tubing with the exhalation valve should be at the patient-end of the circuit. This ensures the patient does not re-breath their waste gases.

ResMed Airsense 10 CPAP machines in YGC will be pre-set to 10cmH₂O for patients with COVID-19 requiring extra oxygenation support. For more information about managing COVID-19 paitents in oxygenation failure on a COVID-19 ward, open the ‘Guideline on the management of Oxygenation failure’ (found below).

To start CPAP treatment:

1. Connect the circuit to the machine in the following order; face mask with entrained oxygen, anti-bacterial viral filter, 22mm tubing with exhalation valve.
2. Fit the mask to the patient; tight enough to prevent any leak, but not too tight to cause pressure damage to the skin.
3. Connect the oxygen tube to the oxygen port on the mask and start oxygen therapy.
4. Press the button on the top of the Airsense 10 CPAP machine.