FDA says 561 deaths tied to recalled Philips sleep apnea machines - eviltoast

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.

  • NightAuthor@lemmy.world
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    9 months ago

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

      • NightAuthor@lemmy.world
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        9 months ago

        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.

        • Nastybutler@lemmy.world
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          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.

        • Corigan@lemm.ee
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          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