Going to be needing knee surgery soon... might lose my CPAP

[Guest]

The thing is sometimes Hospitals would rather you not bring your own CPAP from and instead use theirs, the biggest reason being they don't want to be responsible should the machine get damaged (also so they can charge the insurance more).
My Compliance has been damn near prefect since I got my machine, the only night I got less than 4 hours was because of a power outage in the middle of the night.
8-9 hours a day
Insurance is MO Health Net (Medicaid)
I have no clue on how long I could be in the hospital, they could just keep me overnight they could keep me a week or more I have no clue.
If they don't let me use my CPAP then I will most likely be using a hospital machine.

Hats off to you for your compliance thus far - this is not an easy feat for most of us. Tho I am now 110% compliant myself (prob more) cuz I like to take extra naps with it <smile>.

It sounds like you need to talk to the hospital to get the correct answers. If you don't know who to call start with the patient advocate. Write down all of your question first - leave room under the question for the response. This is best done in a notebook - also write the names, numbers, dates/times, etc. I think you will be pleasantly surprised and this should relieve some of the stress you are feeling.

fwiw - should you either fail compliance or need to account for you time in the hospital you will still need your doctor to document this adventure (should you fall short on your compliance - I don't think you will tho).

[jimsp1]

I have knee surgery scheduled for in a few weeks and the hospital insisted that I bring my CPAP machine. This was even after I a told them that my sleep apnea is only on the mild range and I would be fine without the CPAP for a few nights.

[Okie bipap]

I used my machine in the hospital when I had back surgery two years ago.

[SewTired]

Don't ask, just take your machine with you. Believe me, hospitals do know what a cpap is and most do not provide one unless you are getting one new (i.e. diagnosed in hospital). Be sure to use masking tape and mark the machine, humidifier and the power brick with your name and phone number.

edited to add: oh, and mark your case as well!!

[49er]

I agree with the advice of ST and PR to bring your machine and use it. When I was hospitalized after a septoplasty as a precaution in 2015, I was told by the hospital I had to use their machine and couldn't bring mine. It turns out they were just trying to discourage me from bringing it and I had been given wrong information.

Anyway, the machine was available right away in the recovery room but due to a 5 hour wait to get a room, it wasn't when I got to the floor. As I was exhausted, I wanted one so I could take a nap. But due to an emergency, I had to wait quite awhile for it. I ended up having numerous problems with the machine and decided to sleep as upright as possible.

Pettyfan, don't make my mistake. Bring your machine.

[gman41]

Not too Hijack the thread however I have NJ Blue Cross and was told I needed 10 months of compliance for the insurance to continue to pay for the machine.

[49er]

Not too Hijack the thread however I have NJ Blue Cross and was told I needed 10 months of compliance for the insurance to continue to pay for the machine.

Please start a separate thread so your concerns get the attention they deserve and pettyfan's issues don't get sidetracked by your post.

Thanks!

49er

[LSAT]

Not too Hijack the thread however I have NJ Blue Cross and was told I needed 10 months of compliance for the insurance to continue to pay for the machine.

Call BC and ask...Don't believe your DME

[Guest]

We all know how hard it is to find the right mask.... who here thinks that any hospital will have your mask?

Bring ALL of your stuff with you. Prob a good idea not only to mark your equipment but make a list and include your written pressure settings and other instructions in case you are not coherent.

[JimW159]

The thing is sometimes Hospitals would rather you not bring your own CPAP from and instead use theirs, the biggest reason being they don't want to be responsible should the machine get damaged (also so they can charge the insurance more).

In the past eight years that I have been on xPAP I have been in the hospital five times - from overnight to more than a week - and my experience has been quite the opposite. The only bump in the road was one time when the hospital needed to check the machine to determine it was in proper working condition (finding that it was, they had no further questions). In each instance they welcomed my bringing my own machine because it lightened the demands on the staff of the services I was in (one time neurosurgery, two times cardio, two times orthopedic followed by one time for more than a week in orthopedic rehab) none of which had a pulmonary specialist as part of their normal staff. Rather, they would have had to call for a specialist each time I needed to set up the machine for the night and to clean and feed it. In each case they trusted me to deal with my own procedures. At no time did I ask for permission nor did anyone suggest I not use my own machine. Always remember: you are the only one who needs for you to breathe.

[ChicagoGranny]

The thing is they will know about the hospital stay because they will be paying for it

lol They will never see a short lapse in compliance given how liberal the compliance requirements are.

use of PAP devices for 4 or more hours per night on 70% of nights

[pettyfan45]

Ok I shot an email to a service manager at my insurance company (this way I have something in writing so it is not "well I think someone said...." also dealing calling the insurance is a pain in the ass). As far as written instructions go, I will try but I am not sure how to articulate it for someone who does not know what they are doing, though that should not be needed (hopefully) they should be able call a respiratory therapist if they need help.

[pettyfan45]

The thing is they will know about the hospital stay because they will be paying for it

lol They will never see a short lapse in compliance given how liberal the compliance requirements are.

use of PAP devices for 4 or more hours per night on 70% of nights

Yeah if I am only in the hospital for couple days than this is moot, the thing is I don't know how long I could be in the hospital for and that depends on what procedure they and also if they have to do anything about the groove my knee cap sits in ( I have been told cutting bone takes a while to heal).

[Gryphon]

A lot depends on how bad your sleep apnea is. As some are saying I wouldn't even ask if I could I'd just bring my PAP machine in, permission be darned. I can not sleep with out my machine. For me it's dangerous. Others may have milder symptoms and could get away with it but that is something that only you can decide.

I'd still tell them about my apnea and make sure the anesthesiologist is well informed about your condition. They will still be monitoring you during surgery so I wouldn't worry too much about that part but it's afterwards that the headaches can start. My father more the once has had to have me set up his machine to use oxygen for example because the respitory tech never showed. Have someone with you who knows how your machine works and can help you with it.

Then again as I said if your condition is mild and you don't care you can try sleeping with your bed elevated or something like that to help. Your milage may very.

Wish you well with your surgery.

Gryphon

[TheDuke]

I have taken my own CPAP in during hospital stays several different times. I did make a point of discussing this with my doctor in advance and with hospital admission desk. Very few problems, one time my doctor did write into my admission order to specify that I would be bringing my own CPAP. As other posters mentioned, TELL the hospital you are an apnea patient and will be using your own machine.

TheDuke