Doctor needs my smart card data

Hunter1 · Post by **Hunter1** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 8:27 pm

I received a call from my doctor's office today and was informed by nurse that I need to come in for a 3 month check up. She told me to take my smart card to where I purchased machine and have them down load data and send to doctor's office.

I purchase machine from cpap.com. I called them today and got no where with the person I spoke with. He said they do not down load the data. He recommended that I send the smart card to a sleep lab and they would down load the data and send to doctor for a fee.

Can someone please help me? What do I do? Who can down load this data and send to doctor?

I have a Remstar Auto with A-flex.

Also I am unplugging my machine each morning and moving it to a different place in my bedroom. Am I loosing the data each time I unplug machine?

Hunter1

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 8:36 pm

You're not losing any data by unplugging your machine over and over again.

Quite a few people on this message board will probably PM you and offer to download your card for you and email you a PDF of the download so you can print it out. You can then send the printout to your doctor.

If anyone offers to do that for you, just be sure to ask them to set their Encore Pro program to "don't erase" so that the data will stay on the card after they download it.

Be sure to check your PMs for the next several days...the "You have _ new messages" button at top right of this page.

6PtStar · Post by **6PtStar** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 8:47 pm

I took my first card to one of the local DME's (not the one I did business with, they did not have the software to read it) and the person there downloaded it and printed it out and gave me a copy. Did the first one for free but said if I needed it on a regular basis they might have to charge me a little. I found the software shortly after that.

I would be glad to download it but it woul have to come to me by mail and thin mail it back. If you can find someone local it would be easier and faster.

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 9:03 pm

I was really surprised that not all sleep labs have the software to download the data from our xPAPs!! Especially the Resmeds and Respironics. I mean, while the software "ain't" cheap, it isn't THAT expensive for crying out loud!

My sleep lab has AT LEAST both Resmed and Respironics software (tho their AutoScan is 5.6 and "I" have 5.7 - had fun teasing the sleep lab manager about that!!). Then I went to see a sleep neuro - and they could not download the Resmed data. I don't know about the Respironics'. I'll have to ask my son-in-law who goes to her if she can do his Respironics download or if he has to take it to his DME supplier for downloads.

What's with these sleep labs/clinics?? Sheesh!

papdaddy · Post by **papdaddy** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 9:12 pm

You would think with all the money the sleep labs charge , they would be able to pay the 300 or so dollars for the program to read 60 percent of their patients machines.

Rich

jmps · Post by **jmps** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 9:19 pm

My take is that if your sleep doctor can't download the data they need at the office I would find another one. My doctor did not supply my machine but can still read the card. They should be giving you a copy of the results not the other way around.

Wulfman... · Post by **Wulfman...** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 9:22 pm

Hunter1,

Where are you? You don't have your location in your profile.
If you're in a larger population area and there's a number of DMEs there (that don't know you), you might call around and ask if one of them could read it for you. You could tell them that you moved into the area recently and had purchased your equipment elsewhere. (if they have to ask)
It would also be interesting to know how many of them actually have the capability.

Den

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 9:25 pm

I wouldn't bother with getting it read, your doctor is only going to toss it in a file 2 minutes after you leave.

I'd just write down your 7 & 30 day numbers, leak and pressure data and give him that.

He is only going to ask you how you feel.

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 10:25 pm

Now, now, SnoreDog, play nice. We can't expect the docs to cooperate w/us if we don't cooperate w/them.

I'd do as suggested and check w/all the local DME suppliers to find one that will do that for you. Some might even be glad to in the hopes of getting your mask business.

And I'd be right up front w/doctor that I'd bought my CPAP online from a very reputable online DME supplier and that you assumed that he would have the software to do the downloads at his clinic to monitor your therapy so he would the data to make any necessary changes in your therapy. After all, Respironics is the leading CPAP manufacturer. Look innocent and bat your baby blues when you tell him this.

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 10:35 pm

[quote="Slinky"]Now, now, SnoreDog, play nice. We can't expect the docs to cooperate w/us if we don't cooperate w/them.

I'd do as suggested and check w/all the local DME suppliers to find one that will do that for you. Some might even be glad to in the hopes of getting your mask business.

And I'd be right up front w/doctor that I'd bought my CPAP online from a very reputable online DME supplier and that you assumed that he would have the software to do the downloads at his clinic to monitor your therapy so he would the data to make any necessary changes in your therapy. After all, Respironics is the leading CPAP manufacturer. Look innocent and bat your baby blues when you tell him this.

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 10:38 pm

You ARE wicked, SnoreDog!!!

oceanpearl · Post by **oceanpearl** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 8:31 am

If your doctor is a "real" sleep doctor, then I am shocked that he can't download your card!

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 8:48 am

Whoops, I just re-read the original post in this thread! Duh!! Hunter1 has the Respironics Auto w/A-Flex. Doesn't A-Flex REQUIRE EncorePro v.1.8??? Or can earlier versions like 1.57 or 1.6 also process the data from the A-Flex?

We "might" have to cut that sleep doctor some slack if 1.8 is the software that is needed.

I know my sleep lab is still using AutoScan 5.6 for the Resmeds. I have 5.7!! My sleep lab manager was out of the office when I was last there to see my sleep doc and I haven't gotten around to calling her to see if they will be updating to ResScan - or maybe even ResTraxx. (I could offer her a pirated copy of my ResScan, you think? )

And NO, there is no way I can bring myself to cut any of the DMEs any slack for not having EncorePro 1.8. Sooner or later they are going to HAVE to provide a few Respironics Autos w/A-Flex whether they like it or not (and you KNOW they are NOT gonna like it!)

Come to think of it, "ain't" it a crock when the patient has more advanced medical treatment technology than the doctors??

Wulfman... · Post by **Wulfman...** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 8:57 am

Slinky wrote:Whoops, I just re-read the original post in this thread! Duh!! Hunter1 has the Respironics Auto w/A-Flex. Doesn't A-Flex REQUIRE EncorePro v.1.8??? Or can earlier versions like 1.57 or 1.6 also process the data from the A-Flex?

We "might" have to cut that sleep doctor some slack if 1.8 is the software that is needed.

I know my sleep lab is still using AutoScan 5.6 for the Resmeds. I have 5.7!! My sleep lab manager was out of the office when I was last there to see my sleep doc and I haven't gotten around to calling her to see if they will be updating to ResScan - or maybe even ResTraxx. (I could offer her a pirated copy of my ResScan, you think? )

And NO, there is no way I can bring myself to cut any of the DMEs any slack for not having EncorePro 1.8. Sooner or later they are going to HAVE to provide a few Respironics Autos w/A-Flex whether they like it or not (and you KNOW they are NOT gonna like it!)

I wouldn't.
However, this may be Hunter1's "out" with this.....if he calls the DMEs in that area and asks if they have that version.....and they DON'T.....then he can report that to the doctor. "No can do, Doc". Maybe the doctor can order it from Respironics and "share" it with him.....

Den

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 9:02 am

I'd state it more like: "Sorry, doc, but none of the local DMEs have up to date software. Theirs is outdated for my Respironics Auto w/A-Flex."

Or maybe, "my auto PAP is the latest and greatest in CPAP and autoPAP technology and the local DMEs haven't caught up to it yet".

Machine	Mask	Humidifier