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Home Sleep Testing

I'm looking for unbiased honest opinions about home sleep testing. I don't think there is a question at this point that HST will become the standard in the near future.

This will put a hurting on bigger sleep labs that are not prepared for this..but there will always be a need for in-lab testing. Let's get real for a moment though, Insurance companies are in control of what happens to the future of the sleep industry. For example did you know that DME companies right now can get an order for a sleep study, delivery the home sleep test device, get the results, have a board certified doc interpet results and then bill for the PSG. Then believe it or not they can turn around and bill for the DME if needed. This is only private payers right now but you can see the trend. Since this is now happening they won't go back because they are saving alot of money. I'm just looking for opinions besides the obvious, Example what test devices are the best and why? Any thoughts on the ARES device which seems to be making big moves....

Thanks for your input...

http://1800cpap.com/cpap-frequently-asked-questions-education.aspx

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Permalink Reply by 99 on August 31, 2010 at 1:45pm

the epworth and the berlin guide do work, do not ask my why but they do work, they are low cost low tech and very effective
i was given the two sets last visit, the first time for me.

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Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on August 31, 2010 at 9:40pm

Sorry to make you wait Mark. I am just as curious as about the Ares as you are. I am all for the HST. I would like to see the same parameters as the PSG. I understand that it will not be the same. It should just measure sleep, respiratory, EMG, and EKG. Without measuring all of these parameters you can not get an accurate evaluation of sleep.

Mark Andrew Hixson said:

I appreciate your response I just don't see how this can be stopped.... Check out the ARES machine when you get a chance, i'm curious to see what you think of it. I know alot of docs who don't take these as pre-screener's but the real deal....There is a debate as to how effective it is without a belt as well..
http://www.watermarkmedical.com/

Rock Hinkle said:
I do not know much about the different machines. I have only seen a few. The lab that I am currently contracting with uses the stardust 4 channel by Respironics. It is ok as a pre-screener. I would not take the results to the bank though.

I do see a huge conflict of interest in the example that you posted. There are laws against sleep labs favoring one DME over another. Does not seem right that the DMEs can do it. I know that your store has Rpsgts, but I do not believe that there is a requirement for any sleep education in a DME office. I do not see how this practice will remain. This also puts the pt at a huge disadvantage as they will be going through an HST and then through self titration. I believe that this practice will put more PAP units in the closet.

I am also seeing a very bad trend with the HST. I am getting patients who have gone through an overnight oximeter test, HST, and then come in for a PSG. I asked my doctors about this and was told that the only thing an HST confirms is the need for a PSG. The insurance companies may be in control, but the docs are still going to cover their ass. Just one more test the pts are going to have to go through.