Bring Sleepyhead data to appointment?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Aug 23, 2017 8:45 pm

Guest wrote:
ChicagoGranny wrote:The machine manufacturers provide their software free to sleep doctors. I think most doctors have software available and read their patients' cards as part of any visit.
Thats two assumptions.

ChicagoGranny wrote:Here is a third one for you.

TedVPAP wrote: I brought my SD card with me and offered the data to him and he responded that he didn't have a card reader but the front desk might. When checking out I asked at the front desk and he said I would need to provide it to my DME.

klm49 · Post by **klm49** » Fri Aug 25, 2017 3:15 pm

ChicagoGranny wrote:
Software is just an additional expense most Drs won't have unless they own a sleep lab or DME
The machine manufacturers provide their software free to sleep doctors. I think most doctors have software available and read their patients' cards as part of any visit.

That is my experience. Both I have been to have an assistant (therapist) who downloads the data and also checks machine pressure output. One Dr. was his own DME and the other is not.

StuUnderPressure · Post by **StuUnderPressure** » Fri Aug 25, 2017 4:10 pm

Guest wrote:
ChicagoGranny wrote:The machine manufacturers provide their software free to sleep doctors. I think most doctors have software available and read their patients' cards as part of any visit.
Thats two assumptions.

ResScan software is available for "healthcare professionals" including DMEs to download directly from ResMed for free.
I do not know about Respironics.

Everyone I have spoken to says that "their" Sleep Doctor reads their card in his office at each appointment.
So does mine.

But, they are just interested in hours used & do not look at anything else.
If yours looks at your actual data, count yourself lucky.

chunkyfrog · Post by **chunkyfrog** » Fri Aug 25, 2017 5:08 pm

My doctor looks at all of the data, and puts a printout into my file.
I am so proud of him.

ButtermilkBuoy · Post by **ButtermilkBuoy** » Fri Aug 25, 2017 6:02 pm

StuUnderPressure wrote:ResScan software is available for "healthcare professionals" including DMEs to download directly from ResMed for free.
I do not know about Respironics.

Respironics also provides software free to professionals. ( https://www.usa.philips.com/healthcare/ ... p/software )

Who can imagine a machine rep calling on a doctor and saying, "We want you to prescribe our machine to your patients, and you, doctor, need to buy the machine software from us."? lol

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Aug 25, 2017 8:32 pm

ButtermilkBuoy wrote: Respironics also provides software free to professionals.

Who can imagine a machine rep calling on a doctor and saying, "We want you to prescribe our machine to your patients, and you, doctor, need to buy the machine software from us."? lol

Where did it say that?
Even if someone gives you something for FREE does that mean you HAVE to (as in MUST) use it?

Honestly, I've had 3 different sleep docs and they ALL used a DME to get the required download data.
Where does that leave those who aren't sleep docs?

GBMES · Post by **GBMES** » Fri Aug 25, 2017 9:09 pm

ButtermilkBuoy wrote:Who can imagine a machine rep calling on a doctor and saying, "We want you to prescribe our machine to your patients, and you, doctor, need to buy the machine software from us."? lol

In most all of the cases we see here on this forum it is the DME who determined which brand of equipment the patient gets. Maybe that is why it is the DME who reads the data for the docs.

Okie bipap · Post by **Okie bipap** » Fri Aug 25, 2017 9:20 pm

My sleep doctor specified the brand and model of machine I was to get. My prescription called for a Resmed auto bilevel machine.

Midnight Strangler · Post by **Midnight Strangler** » Sat Aug 26, 2017 8:31 am

Okie bipap wrote:My sleep doctor specified the brand and model of machine I was to get. My prescription called for a Resmed auto bilevel machine.

I've used two different sleep practices. Both doctors prescribed the brand and model of machine. (Fortunately they were top-of-the line autos by ResMed.)

These doctors take visits from the major machine reps. The machine reps explain how their machines work and describe features on new models. Both of my doctors were well familiar with the difference in algorithms among machine brands.

Yes, they have software to read my card. If your sleep doc doesn't, that's a very bad sign. I would change doctors.

D.H. · Post by **D.H.** » Sat Aug 26, 2017 11:01 am

Midnight Strangler wrote:
Okie bipap wrote:My sleep doctor specified the brand and model of machine I was to get. My prescription called for a Resmed auto bilevel machine.
I've used two different sleep practices. Both doctors prescribed the brand and model of machine. (Fortunately they were top-of-the line autos by ResMed.)

These doctors take visits from the major machine reps. The machine reps explain how their machines work and describe features on new models. Both of my doctors were well familiar with the difference in algorithms among machine brands.

Yes, they have software to read my card. If your sleep doc doesn't, that's a very bad sign. I would change doctors.

If you live in a major metropolitan area like I do, it's easy to find another sleep doc (or sleep lab). If you live in a rural area, it might be difficult.

StuUnderPressure · Post by **StuUnderPressure** » Sat Aug 26, 2017 12:40 pm

Okie bipap wrote:My sleep doctor specified the brand and model of machine I was to get. My prescription called for a Resmed auto bilevel machine.

I just got my Rx for a BiPap.
It is a little more specific than that - because "I" gave my Sleep Doctor the exact wording to put on my Rx.

My Rx specifies:

ResMed AirCurve 10 VAuto (with the ClimateLineAir tubing) - Res Med Item No. 37212
ResMed HumidAir Cleanable Water Tub - ResMed Item No. 37300
ResMed Hypoallergenic Filter - ResMed Item No. 36856 (which is actually a pack of 2 filters, but I would settle for 1 filter)

That leaves absolutely no wiggle room for the DME to try to substitute something else - but they do have imagination.

I E-Mailed my requirements to the DME I am currently buying supplies from and to 1 other DME who I would not have any problems switching to.
I did not send them a copy of the Rx - because I do not want either to start a claim until "I" decide who is getting my equipment purchase business.

The 1st one who can deliver that system (upon my verification) will probably get the sale.
If that one tries to substitute anything, I still have the 2nd DME as a backup.

Sheepish · Post by **Sheepish** » Sat Aug 26, 2017 9:32 pm

In about a month, I have my first doctor's appointment since beginning CPAP in May. For what it's worth, I plan on bring my Sleepyhead printouts to the appointment. I'll update then on how that went.

MaryLand · Post by **MaryLand** » Sun Aug 27, 2017 5:53 pm

I had a 90-day follow up with my ENT, who ordered the sleep study and dx'd me with severe apnea. I am a privacy freak, and keep my machine on airplane mode so it doesn't send data to the DME. I have great insurance, and they don't require compliance data, so that wasn't an issue. I printed out reports from SleepyHead for the doctor, including details of one night. She and her health aide loved it -- they said it's much easier to read than what the DME typically sends. She said normally she'd have me check in at the 6-month mark but could see I'm very proactive in taking ownership of my therapy, and said to touch base with her in a year unless something comes up.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Aug 27, 2017 9:45 pm

Midnight Strangler wrote:Yes, they have software to read my card. If your sleep doc doesn't, that's a very bad sign. I would change doctors.

Most docs sleep or otherwise dont but anyway if your doc specifies a cpap brand without you asking and/or will only send your script to a specific dme thats when it time to find another doc fast run away fast. you can always always bring proof of your compliance in any format you have available to you.

esel · Post by **esel** » Mon Aug 28, 2017 8:36 am

chunkyfrog wrote:My doctor looks at all of the data, and puts a printout into my file.
I am so proud of him.

me too, I mean my doctor. I was just unlucky that after he read my card July last year my cpap did not want to read it anymore. .
Lucky I had a spare one in my camera and my cpap was happy with it. Since I have not seen my doctor and everything is just fine.

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