Condensation problem with circuit

TEE · #1 03-14-2012, 10:20 AM

Hello,

My kiddo is vented 24/7 right now and we have problems with condensation in the circuit. We changed out the circuit on Sunday and have had wonderful nights with no alarms until last night when the water had built up. I have read on the board before about 'sleeves' that go over the circuit to prevent this but I don't know what to look for via the internet in my searches for these---does anyone know what they are called? Any tips would be most appreciated if anyone has suggestions for us to try. We've upped the heat in the house and that did stop the vent from alarming disc/sense due to water getting in the sense lines, but really we are back to the same issues.

Thank you!

sullyinCT · #2 03-14-2012, 01:59 PM

I have that problem with my daughter from time to time. She has to be kept cool because that seems to be the only real way to keep her comfortable and I've noticed also keeps her less junky. But the downside of that is it gets water in the tubing and messes with the humidifier. We wound up putting a small towel over the humidifier and it worked! You will always get some kind of condensation/water build-up in the tubing.

Christamae · #3 03-14-2012, 03:00 PM

Have you tried water traps? they help collect the water in the tube. we help dump the water in my traps and then empty the traps.

kadiera · #4 03-14-2012, 04:14 PM

Also, if you have more than a light mist on the inside of the tubing, you should try either turning the temp down or adjusting the relative humidity dial a bit to decrease the amount of water. Every time the weather changes here, we make adjustments.

TEE · #5 03-14-2012, 05:54 PM

We've not tried the water trap circuits but it seems that you would be dumping water every few minutes? Is that the case? How often would you dump the water? Our humidifier has no way to make adjustments as far as I can tell; an RT looked at it in our home and couldn't find where to turn it down/up either. Thanks for your suggestions. When we were in the hospital there was never condensation in the circuit and at home it is always there. It is a frustration not only for the alarms but water to be dumped into her trach which could cause major health problems....

kadiera · #6 03-14-2012, 07:32 PM

If it was me, and the RT couldn't figure out how to adjust the humidifier, I'd be asking for a new humidifier. Your equipment company should have someone who can tell you how to operate the equipment, and if not, you need a new provider.

Throwing a blanket over the circuit can help; it insulates the tubing a bit and minimizes the condensation, but I'd still be worried that the air your child is breathing is just too wet.

Water traps are great if you can get them at the right point in the circuit. I'd say the ones we had in the hospital held about 4 oz, so you can go a lot longer without dumping them. The trick is to get them at the lowest point in the circuit, and upright; that can be a challenge (I have a photo here somewhere of one in the hospital that someone had tied to the crib rail (so it was the highest point) and they'd tied it upside down....

drct1245 · #7 03-17-2012, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TEE

We've not tried the water trap circuits but it seems that you would be dumping water every few minutes? Is that the case? How often would you dump the water? Our humidifier has no way to make adjustments as far as I can tell; an RT looked at it in our home and couldn't find where to turn it down/up either.

The typical heater used (Fisher Paykel) has a temp in Celsius to adjust. When using the water trap, if the heater is set at the correct temp, you will only need drain it 2x a day. Some vents don't have circuit with a water trap, unfortunately or DME doesn't carry it.