Most of the Philips sleep apnea devices were safe. Philips concludes this based on extensive research. Last year, the group also released test results favorable to the company regarding the persistent and costly problem, now Philips has a new update.
The problems with sleep apnea machines are with the insulating foam in the machines. This may crumble or release chemicals after contact with certain cleaning products. But Philips says research so far has shown that the risks are within safe limits.
The test results cover approximately 95% of the supplied devices. According to Philips, if the devices had not been cleaned with ozone, there would have been no safety risk. And regardless of the cleaner used, the health technology company can also claim for about two thirds of the devices, namely the so-called first generation Dreamstation devices, that although they could break, there was no danger to the health of users.
In total, Philips has had to replace 5.5 million ventilators and sleep apnea units worldwide. For this, the company has already had to release around one billion euros. Philips also earmarked €575 million in April for a possible US claim related to the recall of sleep apnea devices. There, the patients are setting up a mass insurance claim case.
There are also more claims at stake and the costs of the case can therefore rise even more. According to Philips, cleaning with ozone is also more common in the United States, which would not be common in, for example, the Netherlands. Nonetheless, the company has already made it known that many reports have been received relating to devices from which, after checking, it emerged that the foam in question had not detached at all.
Source: BNR
Andrew Dwight is an author and economy journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. He has a deep understanding of financial markets and a passion for analyzing economic trends and news. With a talent for breaking down complex economic concepts into easily understandable terms, Andrew has become a respected voice in the field of economics journalism.
