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Mary Z replied to Tom Cannon's discussion ResMed software update"I am only guessing that they are constantly updating, but the changes might just be with each new version of the machine. There was a long discussion on this on apneaboard and I believe the consensus was you can't update your machine as…"
Mary Z replied to Corey Stricker's discussion MRCA & infectious diseases"I think this is a question for your infectious disease doctor. I think I would want to change masks and get a new hose. Many of us carry MRSA in our nostrils."
Tom Cannon posted a discussionResMed software update
Does ResMed ever update the software that runs their XPAP machines? And if yes how often and how do you getthe new version?See More
ZolliStar replied to Corey Stricker's discussion MRCA & infectious diseases"Maybe this will help: http://www.sleepguide.com/forum/topics/soclean-cpap-sanitizing-machine?xg_source=activity"
Corey Stricker posted a discussionMRCA & infectious diseases
I am looking for advice regarding CPAP and infectious disease. A couple weeks ago I came down with a Staph infection, or MRCA, in my nostril. I have not used my CPAP machine since then as I have been waiting for the infection to clear up. I am concerned that the CPAP may have been the source of infection. If this is the case, I am concerned about going back to using the CPAP in fear of being re-infected. Is anyone knowledgable about MRCA and whether it can be transmitted through the tubing…See More
ZolliStar commented on Peter Esposito's status" I'm sure you've tried this, but if you haven't: Maybe you should change to a different mask?
FWIW, I recently tried a full face mask and can't say I really like it. I tried to get used to it,…"
ZolliStar posted a discussionSoClean CPAP Sanitizing Machine
Has anyone tried this machine? If it does what it say -- fully sanitize the mask, headgear and tank -- it sounds like a real benefit and likely worth the cost.https://betterrestsolutions.com/SC1100-SoClean-CPAP-Sanitizing-Unit_p_17.htmlSee More
joe replied to joe's discussion operation"I have recently had a small operation for the above.
It involves a small camera going up the nose and then you are sent to sleep.
When you have an Apnea the camera picks up what is causing it.
I returned this week as an out patient and was told that…"
Lee Dryden posted a discussionNew Sleeping with CPAP blog entries
Hello,My recent entries include a review of a CPAP-related product and the results of a contest for the nastiest CPAP mask. Thanks for reading. http://www.sleepingwithcpap.blogspot.com/See More
Henning replied to Henning's discussion Blood pressure medication and breathing."Lisinopril is also an ACE inhibitors, with the same side effects.
Henning"
RockRpsgt replied to Henning's discussion Blood pressure medication and breathing."We have seen a little of this in the lab. Mainly with lisinopril."
angela kyzer posted a status"Has everyone gotten to sign up for Free CEC as well as Free issues of the magazine???"
RockRpsgt replied to mollete's discussion Search Function on SleepGuide"Hello Ms. Renee. I hope things ahve improved for you.
FYI-I get a huge kick out of 99's post. I am friends with Thomas on just about every social site I am on."
RockRpsgt replied to Clueless in Redwood Shores's discussion Apnea and Cancer"I just read this lastnight."
Clueless in Redwood Shores posted a discussionApnea and Cancer
Two new studies suggest cancer is one more risk of untreated apnea.http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/20/sleep-apnea-tied-to-increased-cancer-risk/See More
Mary Z left a comment for Renee"Renee, you really give me too much credit. Thanks for your kindness.
Mary Z."
Steven Y. Park, MD posted a discussionExpert Interview: Dr. Ted Belfor on “Developing the Face and The Airway with a Removable Dental Appliance: The Homeoblock”
Please join me on Tuesday, May 29th, at 8PM Eastern for my next Expert Interview. This month, Dr. Ted Belfor will give a presentation on “Developing the Face and The Airway with a Removable Dental Appliance: The Homeoblock”.Click here to register: http://doctorstevenpark.com/?p=7221See More
Henning replied to Henning's discussion Blood pressure medication and breathing."Yes, you can find links to OSA.
I think the biggest problem is that many of the side effects that can follow Enalapril, are also symptoms of OSA. Therefore, it may be difficult to separate symptoms.
Here is a link linking OSA and Enalapril…"
Patient Engagement as Holy Grail of Health Care
This is the first article I've read that makes a connection between a patient being distrustful of medical professionals and that patient being more healthy. I see a lot of myself and all of you in this distrustful patient archetype. Long live pain in the a*s patients -- literally:
For health care professionals, patient engagement is the holy grail of health care. It is the key to patient adherence – a prerequisite to achieving better outcomes, fewer ER visits and hospitalizations and more satisfied patients. It is easy to recognize an engaged patient – they do what their health care providers recommends …what their health care team knows what is right for them.
But doesn’t engagement depend upon your perspective?
In a earlier life I spent a lot of time looking at health behavior. Among the many things I learned were the following:
• We all define health within the context of our own lives and in our own way
• We all are satisfied with different levels of healthAdmittedly there are patterns of health behavior or archetypes which can be used to segment health populations. One such archetype is characterized as 1) placing a high priority on achieving a high level of personal health, 2) being very proactive in terms of achieving and maintaining their above average health, and 3) having a moderate to high distrust of the medical professionals.
Not surprisingly, people who shared this pattern of health-related thinking demonstrated lower levels of physician visits, fewer hospital and ER visits, lower health care costs. They were also the healthiest when compared to all other patterns of health thinking and behavior. Because of their trust issues with their providers, these patients were “mavericks” doing their own thing when it came to staying healthy. In other words they were not very compliant and would be considered unengaged from the perspective of health care professionals as defined above.
People can be engaged in their own health and never see a doctor, visit a hospital, or take a prescription medication.
If you were to tell these independently healthy folks that they were “not engaged” in their own health they would likely scoff and say “what do you expect … the health care industry doesn’t take the time to understand the patient’s perspective.” In truth, aren’t people like this doing a better job than the health industry when it comes to “engagement” and staying healthy?
The point is that we as health care professionals need to start looking at things like the definition of health, health goals, compliance, and outcomes from the patient’s perspective. We need to incorporate the patient’s perspective into outcome and satisfaction measures. Only then do we have the right to “judge” whether a person (aka patient) is engaged, activated, or empowered. Once the health industry gets past this paternalistic, “we know better than you do” attitude then we can expect to see real change in health behavior and outcomes.
(from www.KevinMd.com)
Tags: distrustful, healthy, patient
Views: 453
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Mike on -
irrespective of what the article says, do you think we've reached a tipping point in terms of patients becoming proactive? I think not, and i think we're far from it. But as the quality of the medical care we receive gets dumbed down by ever lower reimbursement rates for doctors/ health care providers, we'll be on our own. Unless the government removes the artificial barrier to competition that the prescription requirements amount to. If those are removed, Respironics and ResMed will be shit*ting in their pants as they get their as*ses handed to them by Samsung, LG and other consumer electronics providers who will be in business to meet patient needs instead of the needs of insurance companies, labs, doctors, hospitals and home health care companies.
Banyon said:The article did not say there was a trend to be proactive. It just made the distinctions and described the different outcomes.
RockRpsgt said:I don't believe that a pro-active trend is going on. I ask the same two questions of everyone I see. "What do you know about sleep?", And "Did anyone explain the process to you?". The resopnses overwhelmingly are "Nothin", and "Not a thing".
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Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on -
I think that health awareness is on the rise.It's definately better than when I started all of this. I think alot of it depends on where you are. Some cities do things a little better than others. As far as reimbursement schedules is it going to get lowered? The physician group lobbies seem to be doing one hell of a job pushing it back. I believe they just got another reprieve that's good until July. Im sure their lawyers are already working on the next one. If they can push it back to pass the election we may never see them.
The prescriptions are not going away anytime soon.
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Permalink Reply by Mary Z on -
I think being proactive in your health care depends on your level of education (however earned) , money, and commitment. Just as an example (because I know this subject) a man goes to get his bp checked. It's very high. The doc puts him on medication. The meds make him impotent. For any of many reasons he doesn't go back to the doctor and ask for a different pill. His bp stays high and anything can happen. You have to be smart enough, insistent enough (to the point of finding doctors you can work with) , rich enough (or willing to budget and make sacrifices- my niche), and willing enough to jump through some hoops to take care of your health. The docs have to do their part too- such as an explanation of side effects of bp pills and there are alternative meds if this one doesn't work. I have a friend who would rather drive a big truck than take care of her teeth which are falling out. She doesn't care enough to see a dentist. Her values about health care only extend to things that hurt. If it doesn't hurt it doesn't get her attention. I have another friend, and I'm sure this is really common, who has COPD from smoking and isn't about to quit. Probably whatever gets the most press and has the best advertisements gets the most attention. I agree it depends a lot on demographics.
Oh, by the way, my friend who is losing her teeth did quit smoking and gained 130 lbs. She's now a stroke or heart attack waiting to happen. I think she has sleep apnea, too.
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Permalink Reply by 99 on -
patient engagement and empowerment is good providing they are informed and armed with correct and pertinent information and not disinformation propaganda
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Permalink Reply by Mary Z on
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I agree 99 (and welcome back). We've all seen a lot of misinformation and bad suggestions from the doctors office and the forum, too.
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