"please keep me updated about oximeters "
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
Home Sleep Tests
I am doing a research project on home sleep tests (HSTs) from the perspective of a PCP and was curious to get impressions on the major HST devices out there, pros/cons, etc.
I will start with an observation that of the CMS-reimbursement-approved HSTs it looks like there are either the traditional PSG-lite type devices or the novel algorithm-based devices. The latter seem to be easier to use, but more expensive on a per use basis. Is this a fair assessment?
Do you have other observations or experience regarding HSTs?
Views: 266
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Sleepgs on
-
Good one,,,,,,,, Ill get back to with the answer,,,,,,, Not sure if I will have the answer for the Apnealink
-
-
I sure would appreciate it, sleepgs. Thank you!
Sleepgs said:Good one,,,,,,,, Ill get back to with the answer,,,,,,, Not sure if I will have the answer for the Apnealink
-
Permalink Reply by Mary Z on
-
I have read that home sleep study is the way of the future. I'm sure the technology will advance as the bugs are worked out. I would like to think that someone with a negative home study who has significant symptoms and scores high on sleepiness scales would get a night in the lab. Perhaps these home studies would be more readily accepted by money conscious doctors and make sleep tests available to those who otherwise wouldn't get a chance.
Rock, do your sleep labs have a significant waiting list for appointments? And out of curiosity, how many no shows or late cancellations do you have? Or this same question to any other pro in a sleep lab?
Mary Z.
-
-
Hope this helps (Had to ask my tech guys)
Here is what has been tested and confirmed to be compatible with the Embletta:
Autoset T, AutoSet Spirit (S7), S8 Autoset Spirit, I and II.
VPAP IV should not be included in the compatibility list for compatibility with the Embletta
You can also look at our site for more info http://sleepgroupsolutions.com/modules/pico3/index.php?content_id=9
-
Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on
-
Most of our labs are scheduled 2 weeks out. My lab is the overflow lab. Half of our bed space is scheduled out about a week. The other half is used for immediate needs pts. We get quite a few pts that have just been released from the hospital. We get the transplant and organ failure pts as they come in.
Mary Z said:I have read that home sleep study is the way of the future. I'm sure the technology will advance as the bugs are worked out. I would like to think that someone with a negative home study who has significant symptoms and scores high on sleepiness scales would get a night in the lab. Perhaps these home studies would be more readily accepted by money conscious doctors and make sleep tests available to those who otherwise wouldn't get a chance.
Rock, do your sleep labs have a significant waiting list for appointments? And out of curiosity, how many no shows or late cancellations do you have? Or this same question to any other pro in a sleep lab?
Mary Z.
-
-
These Nonin 3012 & 3212 are connectors for oximenters/sensors. For instance: my PAP is a Resmed VPAP Auto (January 2008 release), I use the Resmed S8 ResLink w/it which requires the Emblet/Embla 7000 XPod and Oximeter Flex Sensor 8000J-3. The Embla XPod has a 3 pin connector. Part # 1430000.
I see your Embleta is compatable w/ApneaLink."We are able to work with a variety of home sleep study devices including the gold standard Embletta X100 along with the Medibyte, Watch-PAT, Stardust, Care Fusion T3, ApneaLink, Somte, Watermark ARES and others. CLICK HERE to register for this service or contact us at info@sleepgs.com for more information."
http://sleepgroupsolutions.com/modules/pico3/index.php?content_id=17
-
Permalink Reply by RL on
-
(This post is in response to the general topic and other posters, rather than the original question of this thread.)
http://www.azdailysun.com/lifestyles/health-med-fit/columnists/arti...
This article (see link) Sleep Well: Home sleep studies not for everyone, indicates some guidelines for use of HSTs but I would question how well informed most PCPs are as to deciding between the home study versus the lab study. As a patient, I am glad I had the lab PSG study rather than an at home study. I have no underlying conditions diagnosed so far, and do not represent the classic profile for suspicion of OSA. My PSG verified severe OSA and CSA. I expect this diagnosis and subsequent treatment would have been delayed significantly if I were tested with the HST first.
However, I do think that the HST option could result in some patients receiving needed treatment sooner than later. It is tricky for a PCP to know all of the potential conditions a patient may have or develop. Also, the patient's willingness and interest in finding solutions to their health issues would be an important factor. I would hope that the decision for HST or lab test would be made by the M.D. and the patient, with the insurance company leaving that decision in the hands of the medical professional.
The M.D.'s ability to evaluate and consider the patient's situation including medically, financially, and emotionally can be limited. As financial profitability has become a priority in some medical practices, the underlying priorities boil down to a financial analyst's estimation of what course is most cost effective for the practice, which often leaves the patient's best interests "on the back burner". The medical professionals are often caught in the middle of all of this, challenging their sense of what is morally right, seemingly in contrast with being able to "stay in business". I have seen this type of scenario play out in a variety of medical practices, with reductions in quality of patient care as the result. It also seems to erode the morale of the medical professionals significantly. Thus is the state of our medical industry in the U.S.A. today. That said, I am in favor of tools and options that allow medical professionals to work to the best of their ability on behalf of patient health. I believe HST's could have a valuable role in that mix. This could improve over time as PCPs become more educated and experienced in use of this type of test. I don't believe it will eliminate the need for overnight sleep lab studies for many patients. Mistakes will be made. Patients must advocate for themselves.
-
-
Thanks for sharing this article. Can someone help me understand the statement "Patients with coexisting medical conditions such as heart disease, pulmonary disease or neuromuscular disorders are not good candidates, due to the limitation of the technology?" Aren't coexisting medical conditions the norm for OSA patients? Pardon my novice question, but what technology does a PSG have that the HST (especially a good type II home PSG) does not have? Is it just the concept that it is attended that makes it safer for these comorbid patients?
RL said:(This post is in response to the general topic and other posters, rather than the original question of this thread.)
http://www.azdailysun.com/lifestyles/health-med-fit/columnists/arti...
This article (see link) Sleep Well: Home sleep studies not for everyone, indicates some guidelines for use of HSTs but I would question how well informed most PCPs are as to deciding between the home study versus the lab study. As a patient, I am glad I had the lab PSG study rather than an at home study. I have no underlying conditions diagnosed so far, and do not represent the classic profile for suspicion of OSA. My PSG verified severe OSA and CSA. I expect this diagnosis and subsequent treatment would have been delayed significantly if I were tested with the HST first.
However, I do think that the HST option could result in some patients receiving needed treatment sooner than later. It is tricky for a PCP to know all of the potential conditions a patient may have or develop. Also, the patient's willingness and interest in finding solutions to their health issues would be an important factor. I would hope that the decision for HST or lab test would be made by the M.D. and the patient, with the insurance company leaving that decision in the hands of the medical professional.
The M.D.'s ability to evaluate and consider the patient's situation including medically, financially, and emotionally can be limited. As financial profitability has become a priority in some medical practices, the underlying priorities boil down to a financial analyst's estimation of what course is most cost effective for the practice, which often leaves the patient's best interests "on the back burner". The medical professionals are often caught in the middle of all of this, challenging their sense of what is morally right, seemingly in contrast with being able to "stay in business". I have seen this type of scenario play out in a variety of medical practices, with reductions in quality of patient care as the result. It also seems to erode the morale of the medical professionals significantly. Thus is the state of our medical industry in the U.S.A. today. That said, I am in favor of tools and options that allow medical professionals to work to the best of their ability on behalf of patient health. I believe HST's could have a valuable role in that mix. This could improve over time as PCPs become more educated and experienced in use of this type of test. I don't believe it will eliminate the need for overnight sleep lab studies for many patients. Mistakes will be made. Patients must advocate for themselves.
-
Permalink Reply by Walt Service on
-
I haven't heard of any pcp in our neck of the woods (mid-NH) who's directly providing these HSTs.
Dave said:Does anyone know a PCP that is directly providing patients with HSTs?
-
-
Me either Walt. Working nights I do not get to meet many of the docs. I have not heard of any that were sleep certified.
Walt Service said:I haven't heard of any pcp in our neck of the woods (mid-NH) who's directly providing these HSTs.
Dave said:Does anyone know a PCP that is directly providing patients with HSTs?
- ‹ Previous
- 1
- 2
- Next ›
© 2025 Created by The SleepGuide Crew.
Powered by
