F&P 254 Technician Setup Menu

I am looking for the key combination for the technician setup so I can check machine hours.

I know the pressure set (Ramp + Step button for 3 seconds)
And the clinician menu (Increase + Step button for 3 seconds)

Most machines show machine hours without any secret key -- is the F&P different? Have you tried scrolling all over is simple, user mode?

It has "total run hours" that show machine hours since last reset and average hours per night. In the clinician menu you can clear the compliance information by pressing (^ and v) which resets the hours shown on all the menu's except hours shown on the technician menu.

It's a nice machine.

I should play around with combinations but figured I would ask first.

I was told that on this machine that when you reset the therapy hours it also resets the blower hours. If you purchased it used and the person reset the hours you may not be able to see the total blower hours. I just acquired one of these units for backup to my Sandman. I like it so far. The software is pretty decent and easy to use. In the software manual its says that you cannot delete data. My hunch is that the total hours for the device would show in the software if it was saved from the beginning. This would allow the DME to reset the machine and give it out to multiple times to different patients with zero hours. I could be wrong but just my early experience with it.

Thunder Road wrote:I was told that on this machine that when you reset the therapy hours it also resets the blower hours.

I find that difficult to believe -- was the source reliable? Did they show you how they can do it?

I just acquired one of these units for backup to my Sandman. I like it so far.

I'm very interested in hearing a comparison of the therapy given by the two machines.

ozij,

Too early to verify anything from my perspective on the F&P. It does appear to provide good therapy since I felt good and my numbers were on par with the Sandman. You can't beat the waveform graph/report in the Sandman therapy IMHO. I will report more info as I get acquainted with the F&P. The person was reliable but i've yet to try it. Maybe someone from this forum will be able to verify. Thanks.

It could be that there is no blower hours on the factory setup screen. I have been told that there is a factory screen and was hoping for some indication of true run hours.

In the few days I have had it, I have found a couple quarks and a list of things I like about it.

1. It responds quickly to events. A good machine. It has a slower ramp down whatever the event is over. It seems to catch events.
2. I slept 9 hours with it last night. 8 the night before. 7+ on the first night. I.E. it works and is comfortable enough.
3. I will purchase the durable humidifier in the future. It comes with a semi-disposable humidifier. Personally, I think the whole idea behind a semi-disposal humidifier tank stupid.
4. The USB Flash drive to record data is how it should be. Very easy to review data. cpap.com has the software for a reasonable price. No special card reader required.
5. I find value in the SenseAwake. {{EDIT - I DID FIND VALUE}}
6. There is no a-flex or c-flex or EPR or Easy-Breathe or equivalent on this machine. While I thought this would be my #1 minus for this machine, strangely enough, I don't miss my c-flex as I thought I would.
7. Snoring. I have seen no information about it's response to snoring but on the other hand, my old REMstar was suppose to be responsive to snoring and I found it worthless. My wife has no snoring complaints. Yet.
8. It does not auto start... So, you have to press a button to start.
9. Nice humidifier but the semi-disposable tank is worthless. Yes; I said this twice. I may say the disposable tank is a stupid idea one more time.
10. Seems quite. No excessive noise. Wife says it is quieter than my older machine. No complaints.
11. Nice case.
12. The LCD says AHI and Leaks for a quick check in the morning.

Overall. I don't think it is as smart as the newest of the auto cpap machines but it more than covers the required basics for an auto machine perfectly. Keeping in mind that an AHI below 5 is the goal, it does the job at less than a quarter the price (I purchased the machine at auction and the software from cpap.com).

Dave,

I would agree with your assessment of the unit and add a few of my impressions.

1. No scoring of snoring or flow limitation reporting within the software.
2. I like the Apnea Cap setting. The default setting is 10. But with this unit you can manually adjust the setting to respond to events above 10. This is similar to the command on apnea feature of the Sandman series.
3. Agree that the chamber for the humidifier is poor. Not a big deal as humidification is excellent with F&P.
4. The software was a breeze to install in XP but was difficult for vista. It did install but is not fully functional.
5. The sensawake is their version of EPR. i found it comfortable and it reduced pressure throughout the night. I prefer the smoothness of the Sandman Comfort Pressure setting feature.
6. The machine shows therapy hours and calculates average nightly hour usage totals but has no total blower hours anywhere on the LCD.
7. Love the daily therapy treatment table summary.
8. A decent unit to have as a primary or backup device.

Will follow up with more details as I learn about them. Hope this helps.