Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on April 30, 2009 at 12:07am

There is room for everyone. I appreciate the knowledge that the Rts bring to the table. It was an RT that hleped me quit smoking. I honestly believe that in a life or death situation the average RT is Probably going to be a little better trained with a 2 year medical degree. Not to take anything away from the sleep education, But CPR is the only required medical class that we are expected to take right now. Most of us take more, but that is not the point. I feel better in the fact that at my new job I have an RT, RN, and a RPSGT to train me. I am getting a more complete training. Personally when I am certified I will probably pursue one of the other degrees. A complete EEG training program could also help any sleep lab at this point.
There has to be room for everyone!

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Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on April 30, 2009 at 12:11am

I agree Rock! Rts should be taught more sleep. RPSGTs should probably know a little more pulmonary. That door swings both ways.

Rock Conner RRT said:

I'll consider respecting AARC's push for a place in sleep diagnostics when respiratory degree programs start teaching something about sleep. As of now, most respiratory school grads don't know anything about sleep diagnostics or xPAP application. I understand an industry group fighting to protect its members, but this is a sham power grab.

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Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on April 30, 2009 at 12:22am

I honestly don't know Mike. In the 14 months I have been doing this I personally have had very little experience with the end user machine. I t just does not seem to be a part of the training package that I was given. So far anyway. Any sleep tech that I have come in contact with that has had machine knowledge has iether been a user, or someone like myself whom has or is currently seeking out the knowledge. With the exception of the OG RPSGT who seem to be able to answer any question about anything. If you can get their attention. I personally would like to see the entire process done in 2 back to back sleep studies ending with a cpap orientation, education and a ride home with the equipment.


Mike said:

why isn't it the sleep tech? is it because it's not in their job description yet and don't get paid for it yet (totally understandable if that's the case, by the way), or is it because sleep techs lack the expertise?

Rock Hinkle said:

It is definatley not this sleep tech. Not yet anyway.

Mike said:

my ultimate question is who is best equipped to deal with tweaks/modifications to the mask interface and machine and to troubleshoot patients' problems, which inevitably arise. we know it's not the sleep doctor; we know it's not the DME (except for Daniel Levy -- who is in a league of his own), so the question is who is it?

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Permalink Reply by Judy on April 30, 2009 at 12:24am

Mike said:

my ultimate question is who is best equipped to deal with tweaks/modifications to the mask interface and machine and to troubleshoot patients' problems, which inevitably arise. we know it's not the sleep doctor; we know it's not the DME (except for Daniel Levy -- who is in a league of his own), so the question is who is it?

The way sleep medicine is set up now, it SHOULD BE the local DME supplier's RT. As I've stated before, and has been said time and time again thru all the apnea support forums, too often the local DME supplier's RTs are NOT equipped to do so. And if they really WANT to be then they SHOULD LEARN and BE TRAINED to do so. Just because they are an RRT doesn't mean a thing as it stands now as to their qualifications, training and expertise to do so in far too many cases. I realize those of us frequenting these apnea suport forums are in the minority of xPAP users BUT we are mostly all here due to the FAILURE of the local DME suppliers' RTs to have the expertise or training to do so.

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Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on April 30, 2009 at 12:46am

Cpap/bipap/Autopap! It is the responsibility of the emmployer to make sure that all employees are trained properly to do the job they were hired for! And If I want to keep my job I better damn well learn whatever it is that I need to know! With that said I think both parties are lacking some training. I personally would not want to do a vent or change a trach. I am not trained to do either, or would I seek out that job. If I did though I would make sure that I Knew how to do it, or how to get the knowledge to do it. I can't say who the end educator should be. I guess whichever seeks out the proper knowledge. As the training sits now neither come from certification with the knowledge they need to do it. Maybe a patient should do it. A CIVILIAN! SOmeone educated not in respiratory or sleep, but in PAP therapy.

Judy said:

Mike said:

my ultimate question is who is best equipped to deal with tweaks/modifications to the mask interface and machine and to troubleshoot patients' problems, which inevitably arise. we know it's not the sleep doctor; we know it's not the DME (except for Daniel Levy -- who is in a league of his own), so the question is who is it?

The way sleep medicine is set up now, it SHOULD BE the local DME supplier's RT. As I've stated before, and has been said time and time again thru all the apnea support forums, too often the local DME supplier's RTs are NOT equipped to do so. And if they really WANT to be then they SHOULD LEARN and BE TRAINED to do so. Just because they are an RRT doesn't mean a thing as it stands now as to their qualifications, training and expertise to do so in far too many cases. I realize those of us frequenting these apnea suport forums are in the minority of xPAP users BUT we are mostly all here due to the FAILURE of the local DME suppliers' RTs to have the expertise or training to do so.

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Permalink Reply by Mike on April 30, 2009 at 1:05am

got a little lost here. what's an "OG RPSGT"?

Rock Hinkle said:

I honestly don't know Mike. In the 14 months I have been doing this I personally have had very little experience with the end user machine. I t just does not seem to be a part of the training package that I was given. So far anyway. Any sleep tech that I have come in contact with that has had machine knowledge has iether been a user, or someone like myself whom has or is currently seeking out the knowledge. With the exception of the OG RPSGT who seem to be able to answer any question about anything. If you can get their attention. I personally would like to see the entire process done in 2 back to back sleep studies ending with a cpap orientation, education and a ride home with the equipment.


Mike said:

why isn't it the sleep tech? is it because it's not in their job description yet and don't get paid for it yet (totally understandable if that's the case, by the way), or is it because sleep techs lack the expertise?

Rock Hinkle said:

It is definatley not this sleep tech. Not yet anyway.

Mike said:

my ultimate question is who is best equipped to deal with tweaks/modifications to the mask interface and machine and to troubleshoot patients' problems, which inevitably arise. we know it's not the sleep doctor; we know it's not the DME (except for Daniel Levy -- who is in a league of his own), so the question is who is it?

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Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on April 30, 2009 at 2:02am

Sorry Mike I was trying to be funny. OG stands for original gangster. The original sleep techs were RTs. Or nurses certified in pulmonary care. I have found a few of them on line. I have even got some advice from some of them of them. They along with the doctors were the pioneers of the sleep study. For the most part they are tied up in whatever they are doing now.

Mike said:

got a little lost here. what's an "OG RPSGT"?

Rock Hinkle said:

I honestly don't know Mike. In the 14 months I have been doing this I personally have had very little experience with the end user machine. I t just does not seem to be a part of the training package that I was given. So far anyway. Any sleep tech that I have come in contact with that has had machine knowledge has iether been a user, or someone like myself whom has or is currently seeking out the knowledge. With the exception of the OG RPSGT who seem to be able to answer any question about anything. If you can get their attention. I personally would like to see the entire process done in 2 back to back sleep studies ending with a cpap orientation, education and a ride home with the equipment.


Mike said:

why isn't it the sleep tech? is it because it's not in their job description yet and don't get paid for it yet (totally understandable if that's the case, by the way), or is it because sleep techs lack the expertise?

Rock Hinkle said:

It is definatley not this sleep tech. Not yet anyway.

Mike said:

my ultimate question is who is best equipped to deal with tweaks/modifications to the mask interface and machine and to troubleshoot patients' problems, which inevitably arise. we know it's not the sleep doctor; we know it's not the DME (except for Daniel Levy -- who is in a league of his own), so the question is who is it?

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Permalink Reply by Mike on April 30, 2009 at 2:47am

ah, funny: i actually googled OG RPSGT and was wondering why it came up empty ;-)

Rock Hinkle said:

Sorry Mike I was trying to be funny. OG stands for original gangster. The original sleep techs were RTs. Or nurses certified in pulmonary care. I have found a few of them on line. I have even got some advice from some of them of them. They along with the doctors were the pioneers of the sleep study. For the most part they are tied up in whatever they are doing now.

Mike said:

got a little lost here. what's an "OG RPSGT"?

Rock Hinkle said:

I honestly don't know Mike. In the 14 months I have been doing this I personally have had very little experience with the end user machine. I t just does not seem to be a part of the training package that I was given. So far anyway. Any sleep tech that I have come in contact with that has had machine knowledge has iether been a user, or someone like myself whom has or is currently seeking out the knowledge. With the exception of the OG RPSGT who seem to be able to answer any question about anything. If you can get their attention. I personally would like to see the entire process done in 2 back to back sleep studies ending with a cpap orientation, education and a ride home with the equipment.


Mike said:

why isn't it the sleep tech? is it because it's not in their job description yet and don't get paid for it yet (totally understandable if that's the case, by the way), or is it because sleep techs lack the expertise?

Rock Hinkle said:

It is definatley not this sleep tech. Not yet anyway.

Mike said:

my ultimate question is who is best equipped to deal with tweaks/modifications to the mask interface and machine and to troubleshoot patients' problems, which inevitably arise. we know it's not the sleep doctor; we know it's not the DME (except for Daniel Levy -- who is in a league of his own), so the question is who is it?

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Permalink Reply by Duane McDade on April 30, 2009 at 4:19am

Ok...., here it goes RTs are wonderful ! they make the world turn on it's axis. They don't conduct the sleep studies, they don't see how hard it is for some patients to adjust to CPAP. They get an order from the DME company they work for see the patient and fit them for the mask/breathing device suggested by the doctors RX. Then they give them the lasest and greatest CPAP/Bi-LVL machine the world has yet seen! These are incredible they cook your breakfast for you after you wake up! They call your office for you if you wake up late! They adjust to your apneas while you sleep and ........ here's what I don't like. I've seen what the new XB12-900002 ultra-AUTO-PAP 2000 can't do.....That is what RSPGT's do, watch, listen and hear how some one is attempting to breathe and how they sound /look when they can, breathe that is. We get so many patients in the lab I work at that have gone to a doctors office" wore a deal on there Finger" came back the next day,or a month later, the doctor says "you have apnea" issues them a RX for an auto CPAP and that's it! Then it's up to these MAGICAL machines to fix ther Apnea..........well they don't. They might have more sucess with the APNEA pill, if there was one. The human element is very important, machines ?? Come on people!!!!

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Permalink Reply by Judy on April 30, 2009 at 7:30am

I still say there are too d*mn many RTs, & RRTs out there, working for local DME suppliers who don't know enough about xPAP therapy, xPAP brands and models and their options AND worse yet don't want to or WON'T put forth the effort to read the Clinicians Manual(s) for the xPAPs they set up and provide to their xPAP clients or even mask fitting. They may be darn good RTs and RRTs - for those w/asthma, emphysema, COPD, etc. - BUT they aren't worth diddley-squat to the new xPAP patient. And the saddest part of all is that the manufacturers and the sleep doctors rely on and expect these xPAP incompetent RTs and RRTs to be THE support for the xPAP patients.

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Permalink Reply by Judy on April 30, 2009 at 1:42pm

One local DME supplier made the following comments when I asked about this.

"My perception of the controversy is this …. AARC is fighting to ensure that PSG techs MUST BE LICENSED RESP THERAPISTS and not just PSG techs – anyone off the street … There are so many sleep labs popping up these days and in many states anyone can be trained in house to do the diagnostic set up on sleep study night…putting on the leads, monitoring the patient and overseeing the collection of data.

AARC is not wanting to “read the studies and diagnose”. That’s a physicians role.

The AAST (American Association of Polysomnographic Technologists) is having a fit and trying to protect their organization state by state too.

I am not sure who has the upper hand – but it is a big fight. I think its going to boil down to licensing. What if a patient, undergoing an overnight sleep study “codes” or has severe respiratory issues – that’s one of the big points….Joe Blow sleep tech hired off the street with only a few weeks of training may not be the best person to deal with patient health – that’s one of the cases they are making."

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Permalink Reply by D. W. Conn on June 28, 2009 at 9:04am

I came up through Cardiac EP and Neurology (EEG) time was 1989 and had to work with MD for 2 years since schools were very scarce. The Registered Polysomnographic “Technologist” had to show mastery in nPAP and EEG readings before being let loose to perform studies. It was until 1995 that we began to see larger interest from the RT field.
The Current RRT vs RPSGT spat reminds me of the Nurses vs RRT of the late 70s early 80s.

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