Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP)
BiPAPs deliver a preset, prescribed inspiratory pressure and a preset, prescribed expiratory pressure.
Ex. IPAP 16 cm
EPAP 7 cm
Upon inspiration, the higher IPAP pressure is delivered. The machine sense expiration and cuts the expiratory pressure to the prescribed, lower EPAP pressure. BiPAPs are often easier to tolerate than the CPAP machine. It is usually prescribed for patients with high setting requirements.
Note: For Medicare patients, a CPAP must be prescribed first for a trial period of not less than 3 months. If a patient does not tolerate the CPAP, they can be changed to a BiPAP. The physician must write an order for BiPAP with an IPAP and EPAP setting. A letter of intolerance to the CPAP must accompany the order.
