EncorePro - Merging Downloads and Other Questions

MarcG · Post by **MarcG** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 2:30 pm

I'm new to CPAP and I'm using a REMstar Auto w/C-FLEX. I am supposed to return the smartcard to the DME in another week. I suppose the DME will prepare a report for the physician.

Contrary to my DME's instructions I went ahead and purchased the EncorePro software and smartcard reader. I have been downloading data and printing reports. The detailed reports (with AHI numbers, etc.) can be prepared only from each individual download rather than the cumulative data. This doesn't seem sensible to me. Is it possible to merge the multiple, contiguous downloads into one file, from which a detailed report may be prepared?

After the download, I do not get the dialog box that permits me to save or erase the smartcard data. The smartcard is simply erased. This won't leave the DME with much to look at when it receives the smartcard. Wouldn't exporting the data to a CD provide the DME with the same or better data (as compared to a smartcard unread for 30 days, which the DME expects)? Can I dump the data back to the smartcard? How can I get the flexibility to keep the data on the smartcard?

I don't regret getting the software because I need to be involved in the process and I hate throwing away data. But I don't want to piss off my DME any more than necessary.

Thanks in advance.

Marc

MartiniLover · Post by **MartiniLover** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 4:08 pm

Good for you.

I am not smart enough to tell you how you go about doing the stuff you want to do. ( ie putting the info back on the card.)

However remember, you are the customer.

They are there for you, not the other way around.

If necessary, just print out your reports and take them in.

You are very wise to be on top of your care.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 5:21 pm

MarcG, this might be useful for your last week on the trial:

Excerpt from:

CPAP Interviews and Reviews
User Review (Derek): Respironics Encore Pro Software - under "Installation and Setup"

There is one undocumented feature, however, that is well worth considering. By default, Encore Pro erases all data from the SmartCard after each download. If your RT requires that you send in the card periodically to check compliance, you will want to disable this feature. Respironics provides a pair of simple "scripts" in its Utilities directory (folder) that allow you to change this behavior and download without erasing.

To do this you will need to navigate to the Encore Pro utilities directory through My Computer. If you accepted the default path on installation it will be C:\Program Files\Respironics\Encore Pro\Utilities. In this folder you will find two files:

Don't erase Data After download.reg and Erase data after download.reg.

All you have to do to change the behavior of Encore Pro is double-click on the appropriate file. You will be asked to confirm your action.

If you choose to not automatically erase data after download, you will be prompted after each download. I believe that this is the better mode to work in, and I have my system set up that way.

Mikesus · Post by **Mikesus** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 6:06 pm

Bad part is that it will only show compliance for the last week if you do it thay way. You will still need to bring in the reports to show the compliance data if they ask...

MarcG · Post by **MarcG** » Mon Apr 18, 2005 11:01 am

Thanks for the help on the undocumented feature. (When I programmed, that's what we called bugs.) Nevertheless, it is odd that the online help presumes that this feature is active yet the product ships with the feature turned off and without instructions to activate.

More than three weeks into APAP therapy, I'm not sure that I'm getting somewhere. MY AHI numbers are lower than in my sleep study, but they vary night to night in the range of 4 to 10. This seems pretty high to me. (There is also the occaisional non-responsive apnea.) Is there a physiological learning curve to APAP/CPAP use?

Thanks.

Marc

Hugh Jass · Post by **Hugh Jass** » Mon Apr 18, 2005 1:21 pm

Bad part is that it will only show compliance for the last week if you do it thay way. You will still need to bring in the reports to show the compliance data if they ask...

I have set my card not to erase the data after download, and I have about 3 months of compliance data so far.

It's the therapy info that shows only the last week.

Mikesus · Post by **Mikesus** » Mon Apr 18, 2005 4:30 pm

Hugh Jass wrote:
Bad part is that it will only show compliance for the last week if you do it thay way. You will still need to bring in the reports to show the compliance data if they ask...
I have set my card not to erase the data after download, and I have about 3 months of compliance data so far.

It's the therapy info that shows only the last week.

Right, but he already read the card, and if he didn't set it to not erase, it did, and the data is no longer on the card...

EncorePro - Merging Downloads and Other Questions

EncorePro - Merging Downloads and Other Questions

Thanks and Another Question