Current VA CPAP machines...

Greetings all-

Just completed my sleep study at the VA on Dec 30th. My Dr called earlier this week on Tues, Jan 9 stating a few particulars about my apnea, listed as 'moderate' and asking if I had a 'smartphone.' I assume to determine if I had a phone that would work with some of the newer, similarly 'smart' CPAP machines available. Given this info I'm wondering if anyone might know which machine specifically is most likely to be chosen for me? I did the cursory Google search but unable to find any current/recent results related to VA-specified equipment. Reasoning has to do mostly with curiosity/interest in limiting my research-specifics related to machine and/or ancillary devices I 'may' be receiving. Will be using supplemental O2 from a VA provided Invacare Perfecto2 V concentrator which I've been using for a month and have added a humidifier and replaced its external foam filter and internal HEPA & disc filters as HEPA was oozing some unidentifiable 'ickiness' that was running down its internal grill retainer cage face. Unlike concentrator, CPAP machine will be new/unused but probably won't arrive and be set up till end of next week but would enjoy insight as to specific machine I'll likely be using as that relates to machine itself as well as cleaners/sanitizers and/or other recommended equipment.

I look forward to becoming an active member here as I get more educated and fluent in all things CPAP and TIA to any/all that are able to help with my current line of questions.

Sam

The VA seems to provide either Respironics or ResMed machines. It may depend on whatever the local office keeps in stock but it seems like Respironics seems common. Usually full data machines that will interface with the internet so that not only is there a phone app available but the doctor can also access the data.
Both Respironics and ResMed will now do that.

The last VA forum member that I remember got a Respironics DreamStaton Pro. But that doesn't mean a different area locale wouldn't provide something else.

Usually the VA doesn't short change people and issue not data capable bricks because they like to be able to monitor the therapy rather closely.
Optimal therapy means less VA doctor visits and they like to save money that way.

Use to be that the apap model was most commonly dispensed (has both cpap and auto/apap modes available) but with the most recent report of the DreamStation Pro which is a cpap only mode machine I don't know if they have made a universal switch or not.

So most likely you will get either
Respironics...DreamStation Pro or DreamStation AutoCPCP
or
ResMed....AirSense 10 Elite (cpap only) or the Airsense 10 AutoSet

This is of course assuming you have plain jane OSA and not complex sleep apnea or a bunch of centrals or something else going on.

Respironics has DreamMapper available
ResMed has MyAir available
and both have phone apps or blue tooth capabilities for basic data reporting.

For detailed data reporting you need to use real software...like SleepyHead
https://sleep.tnet.com/equipment
The web and phone app stuff pretty much just shows the basic data (like what you can see on the machine LCD screen) and it's a good starting point but leaves a lot to be desired if wanting real detailed information.

Thank you for your service.

salinas212 wrote:Greetings all-

Just completed my sleep study at the VA on Dec 30th. My Dr called earlier this week on Tues, Jan 9 stating a few particulars about my apnea, listed as 'moderate' and asking if I had a 'smartphone.' I assume to determine if I had a phone that would work with some of the newer, similarly 'smart' CPAP machines available. Given this info I'm wondering if anyone might know which machine specifically is most likely to be chosen for me? I did the cursory Google search but unable to find any current/recent results related to VA-specified equipment. Reasoning has to do mostly with curiosity/interest in limiting my research-specifics related to machine and/or ancillary devices I 'may' be receiving. Will be using supplemental O2 from a VA provided Invacare Perfecto2 V concentrator which I've been using for a month and have added a humidifier and replaced its external foam filter and internal HEPA & disc filters as HEPA was oozing some unidentifiable 'ickiness' that was running down its internal grill retainer cage face. Unlike concentrator, CPAP machine will be new/unused but probably won't arrive and be set up till end of next week but would enjoy insight as to specific machine I'll likely be using as that relates to machine itself as well as cleaners/sanitizers and/or other recommended equipment.

I look forward to becoming an active member here as I get more educated and fluent in all things CPAP and TIA to any/all that are able to help with my current line of questions.

Sam

I just got a Dreamstation myself. If you want to know for sure I suggest tracking down your VAs respiratory therapist and ask him what they supply. Alternatively you could also try calling prosthetics department because they handle sending out supplies as needed.

<<The VA seems to provide either Respironics or ResMed machines. It may depend on whatever the local office keeps in stock but it seems like Respironics seems common. Usually full data machines that will interface with the internet so that not only is there a phone app available but the doctor can also access the data.
Both Respironics and ResMed will now do that.>>

Thanks for your sensible response! Made a lot of sense to me and my pulmonary physician admitted in our phone conversation that he wants/needs access to my data.

<<Usually the VA doesn't short change people and issue not data capable bricks because they like to be able to monitor the therapy rather closely.
Optimal therapy means less VA doctor visits and they like to save money that way.>>

Understandable logic!

<<Use to be that the apap model was most commonly dispensed (has both cpap and auto/apap modes available) but with the most recent report of the DreamStation Pro which is a cpap only mode machine I don't know if they have made a universal switch or not. So most likely you will get either Respironics...DreamStation Pro or DreamStation AutoCPCP or ResMed....AirSense 10 Elite (cpap only) or the Airsense 10 AutoSet>>

Makes sense due to sleep clinic techs telling me that the VA has some kind of relationship with Phillips/Respironics and AutoCPCP tends to ring true given its inherent enhanced dynamics. Will definitely be checking out 'SleepyHead' software!

<<Thank you for your service.>>

You're welcome but please don't be too complimentary as I was drafted in the mid 60's as NO ONE was a fan of Viet Nam era! T'was a different time ,-)

Thanks USMCVet! I think you're right in that it'll be Phillips/Respironics,

salinas212 wrote:
You're welcome but please don't be too complimentary as I was drafted in the mid 60's as NO ONE was a fan of Viet Nam era! T'was a different time ,-)

Hey...you served and didn't move to Canada. Doesn't matter to me that enlisting wasn't your first choice.
And yes...I am 65 and my husband is 68 and a Viet Nam vet himself (though he was silly enough to enlist which is another story) and I do understand how things went back in those days.

Thanks for accepting my attempt at humor. I actually considered Canada/Mexico but didn't want to risk a firing squad or life imprisonment later. Who knew Carter was gonna pardon everyone in '74!?!

salinas212 wrote:Thanks USMCVet! I think you're right in that it'll be Phillips/Respironics,

Honestly it could be either. I say that because each area has different contracts . Either way you should get top of line.

The VA gave me a Resmed S10 a few months ago. I believe they'll give you which ever one you want.

Thanks again USMCVet! I was hoping that when the Denver VAMC sleep clinic techs mentioned to me that the VA has some kind of relationship with Phillips/Respironics that my area (Denver) was what they meant. Ultimately I'll take whatever shows up but my main thrust today is based on what will most-likely show up. And with my luck about all I can count on is receiving the ResMed machine So I'm boning up on both!