Why the Right BiPAP Mask Might be a Lightweight

Selecting the right bi-level positive airway pressure

(BiPAP) mask type for non-invasive ventilation (NIV) therapy is a constant challenge for respiratory therapists (RTs) responsible for patient safety and therapy compliance. Using the proper mask, either alone or within the facility’s mask rotation protocol, can have a direct impact on patient care. It can also ensure effective NIV therapy without disruption and increase staff efficiency.

BiPAP masks come in a variety of shapes, sizes and materials designed to meet different respiratory needs. They range from nasal masks that cover only the patient’s nose, to full-face masks that cover both the nose and mouth. Learn how to choose the right one to help improve patient outcomes.

NIV mask innovations mean new options

Hard plastic has been the traditional go-to material for your NIV masks. But newer versions are made of softer silicone to provide greater comfort and performance. When choosing the best BiPAP mask option for non-invasive ventilation, consider these important factors:

• Patient safety
• Consistent delivery of effective NIV therapy without disruption
• Reduced risk for medical device-related facial pressure injuries

You might find that the traditional hard-shell mask is no longer the best choice for your patient. Here are three key benefits of a lightweight silicone mask:

1. Lowers the risk of facial pressure injuries Healthcare-associated pressure injuries (HAPIs) are one of the most common and most costly challenges in respiratory therapy, particularly with heavy, hard-shell NIV masks that are worn too long or too tight. Regular repositioning of masks to improve patient comfort and reduce leakage contributes to skin breakdown and requires an expensive investment in masks of varying sizes and shapes.

A silicone mask that weighs several ounces less than a hard-shell plastic mask reduces the weight on a patient’s face, resulting in fewer pressure points and a reduction in pressure injury risk.

39% lower peak pressure at zero degree rotation than a hard mask¹

“An advanced silicone NIV mask is an effective way to reduce, if not altogether eliminate, the need for mask rotation,” says Elise Burns, respiratory device expert at Medline. “A softer, more flexible mask is a better solution for problematic PIs because it results in improved patient comfort and less skin breakdown.”

2. Stabilizes peak leak to minimize asynchrony

Maintaining positive oxygen pressure to the airway is the objective of non-invasive ventilation, but if the NIV mask leaks because it’s not effectively sealing around the patient’s face, the efficacy of the therapy is jeopardized. Silicone masks allow for flexibility to adapt to the contours of the face, reducing peak leak and average pressure on the face—two leading factors of skin breakdown.

“If there are unintentional leaks at the point where the mask and the patient’s face meet, you are not going to be delivering the level of therapy prescribed by the doctor,” says Burns. “So, you could assume worse outcomes for those patients, which could include them needing to be on ventilation longer than is ideal.”

3. Improves comfort and compliance for better outcomes

An ill-fitting mask can have serious implications both on the quality of therapy a patient receives and the expense required to provide it. NIV therapy requires consistency to be effective, but if a patient is uncomfortable because of mask fit, they may become non-compliant, leading to higher acuity, escalation of ventilation requirements, and increased duration and cost of therapy.

“Patient comfort is a major factor in whether or not NIV therapy works for a given patient. As an RT, you want your patient to be comfortable so they’re more likely to comply with the treatment protocol,” Burns says. “If a patient is comfortable in the mask because they’re not feeling pressure on their face, there is less risk of skin breakdown and a greater chance of a positive outcome from therapy.”

Mandated mask rotation is often the approach to alleviating skin breakdown and pressure injuries by reducing pressure points on the face, but it can result in therapy interruption, staff inefficiency and wasted product. When considering a silicone option, products like Medline’s Flex® NIV mask move with the patient without putting undue pressure on the face. They can reduce the need for mask rotation and increase the efficacy of therapy, which benefit both patients and facilities.

Advanced technology like the patented FlexiPlane™ design on the Flex NIV mask—that absorbs and distributes pressure where the circuit connects at the center of the mask—is proven to reduce PI risk better than traditional masks.¹

Several different types of BiPAP help deliver the best care, depending on the patient’s condition and individual preferences. Consider the benefits of lightweight silicone to help reduce HAPIs on the face, while also optimizing therapy efficacy and patient outcomes by minimizing mask leakage.