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Do you have the software to monitor your therapy?
I would like to know how many have the software and applicable devices to monitor their therapy?
If you do not have the software do you keep a log from the LCD screen?
Are you interested in learning more about the software? If so post which machine you have and I will try to provide some details about the available options for that machine.
If you do not have the software do you keep a log from the LCD screen?
Are you interested in learning more about the software? If so post which machine you have and I will try to provide some details about the available options for that machine.
Views: 75
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Mike on
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Sleepy C,
I use the Respironics Encore Software and a smart card reader to read the data off my Respironics M Series with A-Flex. I actually don't check daily, but more often every other week or so. I am always fighting leak --- that's my achilles heal. my AHI seems to be under control. and the pressure settings are about right.
I have a hunch most of the members on this site are "newbies" who don't use the software and card reader, but i could be way off on that. Would love to hear from some others. . .
MIke
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Permalink Reply by sleepycarol on
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My thought is with awareness that there is software to monitor their therapy they can be better informed. Many do not know that software is even available to them, let alone they can purchase it. It doesn't help that DMEs often refer to the "smartcard" when on some machines there is no important data on the card except compliance data.
I, also, realize many do not care about the software or their numbers. But if they run into trouble with their therapy the software can be very beneficial in determining what is going on. Of course, you already know that. :)
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Permalink Reply by The Dreamer on
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One of the first things I bought for myself was the EncoreViewer software and SmartCard reader. At first I didn't want to be buying accessories for CPAP, etc. Since I had only just started, and still don't know what my share of the cost is going to be....and already had too much holiday debt.
But, from reading up on my therapy....I soon realized that I wanted to get the software. Because all I see on the LCD is usage hours and a cryptic compliance code.
I can see so much more about how I'm doing using the software, and the impact of trying different things. Like how before the software arrived, my AHI was gradually increasing each night...and peaked at 5.7. Last night it was 1.1. I was also surprised to see that it not only sees how many hours each session is, but when those sessions are.
Hopefully my DME/doctor won't rat me out to my boss on which days I get up on time and which days I sleep in, etc. And, yet...I still always crawl into work late :P
Though I haven't instantly become more awake since starting therapy yet. At least I have fallen asleep at work since I started.
The Dreamer
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Permalink Reply by donnalyn on
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i want to know where i can find all the information on this cpap machine from hospital professionals, and experts who approved the use of the machine?
i have recently heard some bad news about this sleep apnea treatment., "cpap", and i am now rethinking my usage of it.
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I am unsure what you have heard Donnalyn but cpap's are the gold standard for treating sleep apnea.
I have done research on the various machines and was wondering what type of information you heard and where the information came from.
Other methods of treating sleep apnea are not as effective for most people. The surgery methods usually fail to completely stop the apneas, and if it does it is usually only temporary.
Dental devices can cause pain in the jaw area and cause teeth to shift out of position.
The major problems with cpaps is that patients are not followed closely by their doctors or RTs and fail to get the right mask and other issues resolved. It takes time to adjust to therapy and it will not be an overnight fix for most users. But with persistence and determination you life will be enhanced by the use of a cpap machine. A cpap blows air -- nothing else -- into a mask system that enters your airway to splint it open.
If you can tell us what your fears are maybe we can help reassure you.
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Permalink Reply by Daniel on
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If you have a Respironics device that is capable of downloading data into Encore Viewer, then your device is also capable of showing much more information on the LCD display. Unfotunately, your provider did not enable the feature. Higher end Respironics devices have an internal setting, "Show AHI/Leak Data." Don't ask me why, but the default value for this setting is "Off." When I set up CPAPs for my patients, I always turn this feature on.
Once it is on, the patient has access to the following info:
Therapy Usage (in hours per night)
Number of Sessions> 4 hours
Leak Rate (in liters per minute)
Apnea/Hypopnea Index
The above four stats are shown in both 7 day and 30 day moving averages
It also displays:
Total number of Blower Hours
Total number of Therapy hours (hours where it could tell that the mask is on your face)
Total number of sessions
Patients who are really into following their stats sometimes complain that they want to see the details for the previous night only. When that's the case, I recommend that they purchase Encore Viewer, which takes the data, slices and dices it, and presents it in even greater detail.
The Dreamer said:One of the first things I bought for myself was the EncoreViewer software and SmartCard reader. At first I didn't want to be buying accessories for CPAP, etc. Since I had only just started, and still don't know what my share of the cost is going to be....and already had too much holiday debt.
But, from reading up on my therapy....I soon realized that I wanted to get the software. Because all I see on the LCD is usage hours and a cryptic compliance code.
I can see so much more about how I'm doing using the software, and the impact of trying different things. Like how before the software arrived, my AHI was gradually increasing each night...and peaked at 5.7. Last night it was 1.1. I was also surprised to see that it not only sees how many hours each session is, but when those sessions are.
Hopefully my DME/doctor won't rat me out to my boss on which days I get up on time and which days I sleep in, etc. And, yet...I still always crawl into work late :P
Though I haven't instantly become more awake since starting therapy yet. At least I have fallen asleep at work since I started.
The Dreamer
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I know Resmed show data via the LCD screen as well.
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ResMed devices do not show therapeutic data (Apnea Index, Hypopnea Index and AHI) with the normal menus intended for the patient.
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I have a friend that is a Resmed user. She is very knowledgeable about Resmed machines and I trust her completely.
I asked her and this is her reply on Resmed data via the LCD screen:
The ResMEDS give the 95th percentile pressure for that night, and the average 95th percentile pressure for the previous week, month, 6 months and 1 year once the device has been used that long.
They also give the 95th percentile leak rate for that night and average 95th percentile leak rate for the previous week month, 6 months and 1 years once the device has been used that long.
They give that night's AHI, AI and HI and the average AHI, AI and HI for the previous week, month, 6 months and 1 year once the device has been used that long.
They give the hours used that night, the hours used since you first used it, the number of nights you've used it since you first used it and the number of nights since you first used it.
The data on the fully data capable ResMEDS (the Compact and Escape are NOT fully data capable) is much easier to access via the LCD, requiring a simple two button press and hold sequence, than the ResPIRONICS which require unplugging, plugging back in, plus button press ....
Apparently the Resmeds are very capable of providing the detailed data one needs.
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Permalink Reply by Judy on
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That is correct, SleepyCarol. As w/the Respironics and their "Show AHI/Leak Data" access being turned Off by Default, so the Resmeds have a detailed patient menu, "Efficacy Data", that is turned Off by Default. The Resmed User and Clinician Manuals refer to this access as the detailed patient menu. I don't remember if the Quick SetUp Guide which most DME RTs use to set up our devices has reference to the "SmartData" function or not.
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By the way, I forgot to mention, yes, I do have ResScan 3.4 (waiting for 3.7 to arrive) software and cable reader, the S8 ResLink and Embla (Nonin) XPod oximeter and sensor.
I also have, but seldom use anymore, the EncorePro v.1.7 software and cable reader, as well as MyEncore and EncoreAnalyzer. My Respironics device is the beloved pre-M series "tank". I prefer the Resmeds.
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I feel that this data should be enabled by the DME's so that the patient can track their therapy.
Of course, probably, many do not care if they have access to their data. I have a friend at work that doesn't even know the name of his machine -- not even the manufacturer.
If patients were more educated about their machines I feel that compliance would improve and fewer machines would end up in the closet.
It seems that many of the DMEs that help and post on these forums are in the minority -- they actually care about their patients and do their best to help.
I live in a rural community and there is only one sleep doctor in this entire region (about a 75 mile radius). He is swamped and it can take months to get an appointment and then there is the wait for the sleep study, etc. Many patients get referred to the sleep lab by their primary care physicians and do not necessarily even see the sleep doctor. I was one of those that did not see the sleep doctor as he sent the info to my pcp doctor and she admits she is not knowledgeable about sleep apnea.
I took it upon myself to learn as much as I could by researching sleep apnea, various machines, masks, etc.
I have the software and print my own reports of which I give copies to my doctor for my files.
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