"Thanks Mary."
Sleep Apnea Forum Bringing Power to the Patient
New? Free Sign Up
Then check our Welcome Center to a Community Caring about Sleep Apnea diagnosis and Sleep Apnea treatment:
CPAP machines, Sleep Apnea surgery and dental appliances.
CPAP Supplies
Latest Activity
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…"
Fed to Audit Sleep Industry; DMEs, Industry Insiders Wet Pants
It didn't have to be this way. When the Office of Inspector General (OIG) recently unveiled its plans to audit the Sleep Industry as part of its Work Plan for fiscal year 2009, it sent a shudder of fear through the sleep community, with doctors, sleep labs and DMEs scrambling to put their best foot forward. With an economic crisis afoot and President-elect Obama gearing up to bring healthcare to every American, it's no wonder that the government would want to take a closer look at an industry where Medicare payments for polysomnography increased from $62 million in 2001 to $215 million in 2005, a 246% increase. Add to that the OIG observation that “previous OIG work revealed cases in which Medicare paid for CPAP devices that were not used by or delivered to beneficiaries," and we have something of a perfect storm facing our beloved Sleep Industry: the same or fewer number of dollars to be allocated over a greater number of government subsidized beneficiaries, an enormous spike in the dollars being spent on Sleep disorders and mounting evidence that the beneficiaries of these disorders are using their CPAPs as door stops, if they even know how to find the machine they were prescribed.Of course, it is doubtful the OIG will dig far enough to recognize and appreciate the countless lives saved and emergency room visits foregone thanks to the increasing number of CPAP patients who actually do use the machines, and use them properly. We can count on them turning a blind eye to this because, unlike the door stops, it's hard to quantify.
We at SleepGuide believe that Sleep Apnea deserves better. We're dealing with a serious disorder which at worst is life threatening, and at best is a cause of diminished quality of life. The problem, we believe, is with the behavior of the current cast of characters who are the stewards of the disorder. If the DMEs, sleep labs and doctors don't police themselves better, then the government will have no choice but to step in and do it for them. And that can get ugly.
Let's be specific: right now, if anyone is even paying attention to patient compliance with PAP therapy, the metrics are duration and frequency of usage. If that blower is going for 4 hours or more most nights, you're "compliant." Rarely are the other indicia of success with CPAP therapy analyzed: AHI, leak, pressure, for starters. But these are the metrics that actually make the difference between compliance and non-compliance. What good is using the device 100% of the time if it's not actually doing the job it is intended to do, which is preventing the airway from collapsing, or partially collapsing? What good is using the device 100% of the time if all the air is leaking out because the mask is improperly fitted?
Industry insiders must do better. Sure it will be more costly, but don't you think it will be less costly in the long run than letting the government decide how to slash costs? The doorstop model of CPAP treatment is a goner. The question is what to do about it?
Comment
-
Comment by RockRpsgt on September 23, 2009 at 10:26am -
I had forgotten all about this post. I would think that the AASM would want to control the PAP part of the DMEs. At least the tech that work for them.
-
Comment by D. W. Conn on September 23, 2009 at 10:23am -
Rock
DME certification compliance of state and federal laws fall under different categories than say a sleep clinic.
-
Comment by RockRpsgt on August 20, 2009 at 9:14am
-
What about the DMEs. Those certifications are only for the labs right?
-
Comment by wallace j smith jr on August 4, 2009 at 9:03am -
they definetly need to police themselves dme providers especially i stopped by one day to get replacement pillows and was told i had to sign a piece of paper saying they had permission to "treat" me when all i was doing was picking up "parts".. and come on $50 for the two of them????
-
Comment by D. W. Conn on August 4, 2009 at 7:23am
-
I should mention there are three ways of accreditation AASM, Joint Commission or ACHC. ACHC at this time is not approved in state of Texas at this time for sleep labs. If you have questions about ACHC for you state contact them at http://achc.org/
-
Comment by D. W. Conn on August 4, 2009 at 7:14am
-
It is a sad day. I have to agree. Free standing facilities and some Hospital labs have simply opened for the money that can be generated. DME companies are also guilty at billing and no follow up.
There are however mechanisms in place that should alleviate some of the fly by night Facilities and DME companies.
By January 2010 just a few months away, Free Standing facilities must be certified by either the AASM or JACHO. The failure to certify will result in closure of these facilities.
-
Comment by RockRpsgt on April 1, 2009 at 10:31am
-
WOW! That is all I have to say on this subject. WOW!
-
Comment by Judy on February 3, 2009 at 12:09pm -
You know tho, when we slam the DME suppliers for the prices they charge, the money they are paid and what we can buy online for we do have to take into consideration that they are providing an expensive device up front and receiving payments doled out over several months, up to 13 months. That's a lot of upfront money for a lengthy payback. Surely they deserve SOME "interest" type of compensation for that up front investment and long term payback. At least the online suppliers get their monies upfront when they sell their product. THAT can reduce costs A LOT. And anyone who thinks that dealing w/multiple insurances for collection is easy .... hasn't had to deal directly w/their insurance company for reimbursement!! So I TRY to remember to cut the local DME suppliers some slack when I'm slamming them. But then I experience or read of the "less than truths", "half-truths", ignorant comments from them and .....
The medical profession has NEVER been good at policing itself. A good deal of the malpractice problems in this country the medical profession brought on itself by refusing the police their own, by tolerating incompetents in the field and even covering for them. AND by being so secretive. Denying patients information and access to their medical records, etc. is ripe for breeding distrust. Years ago I saw one of their "trade journals" strongly recommending overbooking appointments because patients wouldn't be impressed by or feel comfortable w/a doctor who wasn't busy. Snort!
-
Comment by Judy on December 9, 2008 at 8:39pm
-
I'm afraid I tend to agree w/you, Mike. The sleep profession seems not at all inclined to clean up their act.
-
Comment by Mike on December 9, 2008 at 5:55pm -
Judy, my biggest fear is that the whole notion that CPAP helps solve a real problem becomes suspect because so few people are getting the proper care/attention. It's not that sleep apnea doesn't exist and that CPAP doesn't treat it effectively; it's that we don't have people in the industry stepping up to not be lazy and give folks a fair shake at getting it right. But try arguing that to the OIG in a couple of years if we continue like this...
© 2012 Created by The SleepGuide Crew.
You need to be a member of SleepGuide to add comments!
Join SleepGuide