What data is retrieved from s8 smart card?

[handee3]

I use a s8 escape cpap machine with a smart card. I downloaded the info and mailed it in last week. What info is on this card? Can I download it myself? The Doctor won't tell me much, like it's a big secret. Am I entitled to see ALL results of All tests and have copies made for myself?...thanks a bunch

[DreamStalker]

If you have the Escape model ... the doc won't tell you much because the data doesn't say much. The Escape only records compliance (ie. how many hours you use each night ... worthless except to DME who needs it to charge insurance).

You need to get a data capable machine to monitor your treatment.
For ResMed S8 machines, that means either the Elite or Vantage Auto.

[Slinky]

Oooh! I DO love doctors like yours! N-O-T!

And because I CAN be a spiteful ole broad, I would send a written request to this sorry excuse for a doctor for a copy of my scored data reports from both my sleep evaluation and from my titration as well as his dictated results report for both AND my equipment order (script). IF you are in the USA you have a LEGAL RIGHT to copies of your medical records and these reports and that script are a part of your medical records.

I would send the written request via Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested. Keep both your receipt and proof of ceritification at the time you mail it AND the green return receipt card when you receive it as PROOF of your request. If he is not compliant w/your request you have him by the short hairs. He is in violation of the law - AND - it doesn't cost you but a few pennies in postage to burn him good if he fails to comply. All it takes is a copy of your request being sent to the state licensing board and the local medical society.

How long have you had your S8 Escape? If you have had it less than 30 days, 45 at the most, I would:

1] call my insurance company and ask them what local DME CPAP suppliers they are contracted with (hopefully you will have the option of more than one). If you do have the option of more than one you have an excellent bargaining and negotiating tool
2] take your S8 Escape back to your current DME CPAP supplier, tell them it is unacceptable and request an S8 II AutoSet.
3] most likely they will NOT be willing to provide you w/the S8 II AutoSet but the request for that leaves THEM some bargaining/negotiating room to offer you the S8 Elite, S8 Elite II or S8 AutoSet Vantage - any one of which you would be happy with and leaves you some room to decide just how hard you want to bargain
4] if you do have the option of other DME CPAP suppliers you have the opportunity to check around to see what equipment they are willing to provide to get your business and how lenient their mask exchange policy. When all is said and done, once you have the right pressure need established, the right mask is the key to successful CPAP therapy.
5] if you then find another of your DME CPAP supplier options is willing to provide you w/the equipment you find acceptable you then have the option of going w/them OR telling your current supplier either they meet that offer or you are going w/another supplier.

But you really do need to do this w/in the first 30 days or so of receiving your equipment BEFORE the current DME supplier submits their bill to your insurance. After the first 30-45 days it becomes extremely difficult, if not impossible to switch suppliers.

AND if your doctor questions WHY you want the copies or why you found it necessary to send a Certified written request for them, just simply tell him it was because he wasn't forthcoming in providing the answers to your questions.

We can and should keep in mind that most patients don't ask many questions, most don't request these copies and most just aren't that interested in their CPAP therapy to question their doctor about any of it so he may be surprised and uncomfortable w/a patient who does intend or at least wants to take an active part in their CPAP therapy. So there's no need to be less than diplomatic BUT be FIRM in your expectations of this doctor. If he's not willing to include you as a member of your medical and therapy TEAM then its time to dump him. He's not needed. Or for that matter wanted. ANY doctor can write your equipment order. Even your family doctor. Especially if you can provide a copy of your current script and just have him write another w/the alterations you want on it.

My sleep doctor not only wrote down the exact xPAP I said I wanted, he also wrote DAW (dispense as written) on it. *smug grin*

[Slinky]

All of the xPAPs I mentioned will provide the following data via easy access to the LCD screen (providing SmartData On is included in your script):

1] The pressure at or below which you spent 95% of the night
2] The leak rate at or below which you experienced 95% of the night
3] Your AHI (apnea/hypopnea index, i.e. number of each combined you experience PER HOUR of use that night)
4] Your AI for the night (number of apenas per hour that night)
5] Your HI for the night (number of hypopneas per hour that night)
6] Number of hours you've used the xPAP
7] Number of nights you've used the xPAP plus number of nights you've used it since you got it
8] Number of hours you used your xPAP that night

The data card download provides that information and a bit more.

[trice54]

Yeah, the download from the S8 Elite's smartcard will give a graph showing the last week;s details as to time and extent of your leaks, AHI etc. I dont have the software but take or send it to my DME periodically, also. Sometimes when I have a nite that seems 'eventful', I make note of it and then check the specifics when I get the details from the download...trying to make sense of it all!
Trice