DMEs are Shameless!

[SleepStarving]

Ok, I admit that I buy into conspiracy theories too much, but it's stuff like this that makes me think I may be on to something:

http://www.sleepguide.com/profiles/blog ... ts-not-who

[OldLincoln]

Patients can get their data now if they want to. As I see it, DME's and doctors have to subscribe ($) to the service then get their patients to comply (yeah, like that's gonna happen! ).

However, I like their direction as, if it were done and results monitored, perhaps patients would, in general, have better treatment. I don't have numbers, but I suspect those of us who have taken over our treatment are less than 2% of the xPAP population. Others don't have regular contact and thus no feedback and simply drop off the map after a while. At least that's the story my relatives who were on CPAP tell me. If their DME or Doc had called them every few weeks and said... "Things are looking good, your apnea events are within the acceptable range, but I see you missed 4 nights in the past 3 weeks. Are you having problems with your unit or mask?" I believe they would have stayed interested also.

Also, I like the application as in the brochure. I assume the efficacy issues auto-populate so the clinician can see at a glance any problems on the "My Day" page. That's the only way this could work and I really don't see a down side.

PS: I'm not a clinician of any kind.

[Kiralynx]

Heck, Respironics ought to pay us CPAPers to upload our data into their system.

Think of the analysis potentials -- they'd have what units we're using, what masks we're using, and the stats. They could see what works and what doesn't! They could get $$$ for selling those analyses!

Not only that, they could do Google style ads while we're uploading our data and charge advertisers for reaching a targeted audience!

Definitely -- we subscribe to their service, and THEY pay US!

Right... like that's likely to happen! (But I still think it's perfectly reasonable!)

[UTSleep]

Kiralynx, I totally agree with you, but that would piss off the Aprias of the world out there that are giving bad service, but keeping all the control for themselves!

[Slinky]

I just don't buy into laying so much blame on the manufacturers. After all they are the ones who invested in the research and development to provide "smart" xPAPs capable of providing not just compliance data to satisfy DME suppliers and insurances, but also therapy data that "could" be of benefit to a close-minded, bunch of doctors who jumped onto the sleep medicine cash cow as a subspecialty IF those doctors had any real interest in helping their patients.

[UTSleep]

Slinky, laying all the blame on the manufacturers is wrong, too. after all, the article is saying that its the Docs and DMEs that have been lobbying/complaining to the manufacturer just about the prospect of the technology being open to patients.

[Kiralynx]

UTSleep,

Well, maybe yes, and maybe no on annoying the Aprias. Yes, because in order to make such a system effective, ALL machines would have to be fully data-capable, which would mean that there would be no more handing out the cheapest machine handy and getting the same price. Yes, because it would reduce the middle-man effect between the patients and the people collecting data. But maybe no, because then the Aprias wouldn't have to deal with all of us question-askers... and I bet they'd like that!

[miggity]

but if everyone is using intelligent machines, then the Aprias of the world would have a higher bar to reach to say they're providing high level customer service, which is their whole reason for claiming superiority to online vendors like CPAP.com.

[Kiralynx]

Tsk, Miggity -- you mean they'd have to have to EARN their way? Shocking! Just shocking! (As I said -- I have respect for the RT in New Orleans for getting me the optimum machine for my diagnosis. However....)

[marum]

My DME gave me this web address and a free mask optilife nasal as she had an extra demo model when I lost my insurence I take my smart card to her every couple of months for download she always has the time to see me always asks if I need any filter's ( fine partical ) she give's them to me for free. So there not all bad

[OldLincoln]

When they're good, they're good, but when they're bad they can be so, so terribly bad!

[miggity]

about what % do we suppose are the "good" ones? my guess is <5%

[Wulfman]

My DME gave me this web address and a free mask optilife nasal as she had an extra demo model when I lost my insurence I take my smart card to her every couple of months for download she always has the time to see me always asks if I need any filter's ( fine partical ) she give's them to me for free. So there not all bad

Welcome to the forum, marum.

Sounds like you may have a "good one".
They ARE out there. I think that so many of the people who find the forums have had "bad" experiences with them.....so consequently, they find their way here.


Den

[turbosnore]

I hope the crackers don't mess up the setting with port scanners and stuff. I mean, how much do you trust the net
when it comes to important data? About letting the people see their data: in Finland this is already reality.
The DMEs don't sell the HW/SW to individual customers, but only to the medical staff.
The docs want that, because they get (highly) paid for each reading. No wonder they like to keep
patients away from the data. And think about malpractice. Now you can dig up evidence. If you didn't get
to see the data, would you dare to sue?

Of course the DMEs want to please the doctors. The doctors can define the brand in the prescriptions.

[vikalp]

I completely agree with the words of oldLincoln