CPAP machine doesn't smart card

[sleepingingeorgia]

I have no way of getting readings about air leaks or any of the things this website mentions. I've been on cpap since last April (09) and have had no follow up with physician, home health agency or anything. What type of machine gives this information?

[DreamOn]

Welcome to the forum, sleepingingeorgia. Which machine do you have right now?

Here's a list of most of the machines on the market and their data-recording capabilities: viewtopic.php?p=307168#p307168. My personal choice would be either the ResMed S8 Elite II or ResMed S8 AutoSet II (stay away from ResMed machines with the name "Escape" in them, as they only show therapy hours). Both the S8 Elite II and S8 AutoSet II can show you AHI, AI, HI, and leak information right on the LCD screen. But others prefer the Respironics Pro (not Plus!) machines or ones by other manufacturers.

I hope this information helps you! Feel free to ask any questions here. And be sure to search past forum threads and check out the CPAP Wiki (at the top of the page).

~ DreamOn

[Ruffinit]

Is it a matter of not knowing how to get the data from the panel on the machine? Some units like mine need to be in the clinician mode to show anything but the briefest information. Please state what machine you have so that someone here can tell you how to get the information that you might already be recording in the machine.
Some of the machines have a data port instead of a card slot that has to be interfaced with a computer also, so you need to state your machine model.

[rested gal]

As Dreamon said, if you machine is a ResMed and has the word "Escape" in the name written on top of the machine, there will be no useful data (AHI and leak) info recorded at all.

If your machine is a Respironics and has the word "Plus" in the name written on top of the machine, again there will be no useful data at all.

The Escape and the Plus models record only basic "compliance" -- hour of use. They can't give any useful info at all whether they have a card in them, a data port, or a tinfoil covered antenna.

[MsPat]

I have a Respironics Sleep Easy & I think mine is "basic" no info except hours.

[DreamOn]

I have a Respironics Sleep Easy & I think mine is "basic" no info except hours.

You are correct. According to the information at cpap.com about about the SleepEasy machine, it will give you (and your doctor) no information about the effectiveness of your therapy:

"Compliance Only Reporting Capabilities. SleepEasy has our proven call-in compliance reporting technology. Its advanced controls allow you to manage the device while eliminating unnecessary buttons that could confuse users. "