"please keep me updated about oximeters "
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sleep apnea - not defined!
Over and over again I read that someone is on CPAP and has no clue how to use it! Whose fault is this? The doctors? The technicians? Us - for not asking? Why can't we be educated without having to do it ourselves? What about those of us who do not have internet access or don't know how to use it? What about those people who are afraid to ask their doctor questions - maybe because their doctor is always in a hurry or is it because the doctor only knows how to schedule you for the test, get the results but then doesn't know what those test results mean because they haven't had any training either. It is SO frustrating!!!!! I read about the apnea death - that is something that we are going to hear about more and more because there is REALLY no specialist who truly understands this. The answer to apnea - blow some air up your.....nose!!!!!! By the way, this is not Ron - its his wife!!!!!!
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Judy on
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The xPAP manufacturers invest a lot of time and money into developing fully data capable xPAPs, then they rely on the medical profession to educate the patients on the value and use of xPAP therapy.
The RPSGTs run our sleep evaluation and titration PSGs to get the best picture they can of ALL of our sleep problems and the proper pressure settings for partially or fully obstructive breathing events, etc., an RPSGT then scores those PSGs, always trying to provide as much data as possible during a one night test in strange to the patient surroundings. They use equipment and software developed by the manufacturers. Then all this information is provided to the sleep doctor.
The sleep doctors supposedly go over the PSG results, including the RPSGT's scoring and also scores the results him/her self before dictating the results as he sees them. Then he turns these results over to the local DME supplier w/the recommendation of proper pressure setting(s), whether humidification is needed, and a mask or style of mask or designating mask of patient's choice.
So the manufacturer, the RPSGT, the sleep doctor all rely on the local DME supplier to provide an RRT knowledgeable and experienced w/setting up and providing the proper xPAP device, knowledgeable selection and fitting of a mask for the patient, education about apnea and xPAP therapy, support, advice and assistance w/any problems the patient encounters w/their CPAP therapy and even recommendations to the sleep doctor at times.
I applaud the manufacturers for the equipment and software they have developed. I applaud the RPSGTs who, often despite no medical background, gain the training and develop the expertise to properly run and score the PSGs.
When it comes to the sleep doctors ..... Ultimately, since THEY are the only ones w/the POWER to prescribe xPAP therapy AND the correct pressure settings I see it as THEIR RESPONSIBILITY to see to it that I receive the proper education, support and advice to make the most of my xPAP therapy. If it isn't feasible that they do it that personally, then I see it as THEIR RESPONSIBILITY to see to it that I receive that education, support and advice from a qualified person. This might be a trained and experienced in xPAP therapy NA or PN or RRT. Instead too many pawn this RESPONSIBILITY off on the local DME suppliers and their RRTs. As I see it, since sleep medicine is still not a speciality in its own right, too many doctors see sleep medicine as a "cash cow" sub-speciality, often involving little patient interaction and little time spent for the reimbursement they receive. Some never even bother w/a face to face encounter w/the patient, preferring to FAX their dictated results and recommendations to the referring physician for scripting the equipment recommended. The sleep doctors have to EARN my respect.
And that takes us to the weakest and bottom link in the chain. The local DME suppliers. And their RRTs. And how available those RRTs are to the patients. And how experienced and knowledgeable about xPAP therapy AND the various "comfort options" of the various brands and models of xPAP they provide AS WELL AS the various styles and models of masks AND PROPER MASK FITTING including the use of adequate facilities and equipment do so those fittings these RRTs have. These RRTs have great leeway in deciding on and setting the various "comfort options" NOT included in the equipment order (script). The local DME suppliers AND their RRTs have to EARN my respect. Too many don't.
Which puts MOST of the responsibility for our success or lack of success w/xPAP therapy squarely on our own shoulders. The professionals can't help us if they don't know we are having a problem. We can not be bashful about making it known that we are having a problem and pushing our "professionals" for the answers and for assistance and advice. And we are NOT helping ourselves by accepting less than the help we need!! The squeaky wheel gets the grease.
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Permalink Reply by Duane McDade on
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I don't understand, how to use it? From what I understand you put on the device / mask and turn on the machine. And go to sleep.......It's not much more complicated than that. What more do you need to know.
I know there will be others that go on and on about DATA capable machines but no-one knows how to analize the data. Keep it simple!! Do you want to know what causes sleep apnea? do you want to know how the treatment works? do you want to know what other options there are? Do you need an electrical breakdown of the components of the CPAP MACHINE? You wear the mask and it lets you breathe because you can't without it.
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