data capture

[michiganjim]

I've been using a CPAP since 1998. Through the years, I was covered first by employer provided insurance, then through Medicare. Previously, I always got my supplies through a local provider. This required a new prescription every two years and an every increasing co-pay for the sleep disorder doctor.

Through a number of years, I used a particular mask / insert, which was discontinued. I was never able to find an acceptable alternative but found the original inserts online relatively cheap. For the last three years, I have paid out of pocket for these inserts as Medicare will not pay for them.

Nor have I visited the sleep doctor to get a prescription as the co-pay is wasted. Bottom line, I am self sufficient. In fact, with the loss of about 65 lbs over 9 months, I have turned the pressure down considerably. As I continue to loose weight, I am hopeful that I can put the CPAP on the shelf and discontinue using it. I did this in 2005 for several years after loosing 100 lbs.

Near term, I will have an interview, including a medical exam for employment driving a school bus. They will want some evidence that my apnea is controlled with the CPAP (or not needed due to weight loss). I have just made an apt but wondering if it is possible for me to download the data in my machine.

My CPAP is a RESMED S8 series 11. Is there a way to capture the data in the machine myself? What technology is used to do this? Do I need any special hardware to insert the data card?

[zonker]

bump

[Pugsy]

Which S8 model machine are you using?

If it is a full data machine (not all are) you would need the ResScan software which can be found over on the apneaboard.com forum and a special card read along with the Smart Card for the S8 machine.

Before you go buying anything though you need to make sure that the machine you have is a full data machine and will offer anything more that hours of use.