How long is data stored on Remstar smartcard?

[DenverCathy]

I'm pretty new to all of this (and LOVE this forum). I'm not really up and running yet -- just received my machine etc yesterday. First night not great -- will try a different mask tonight. Will post questions or updates later after I've had a few nights -- I'm usually a "third time's a charm" person so expect a few more attempts (or a lot more perhaps) before having a truly successful night. Must find the right mask.

My question has probably been asked a thousant times -- I did a search but of course there are a gazillion posts about smartcards. Not complaining -- that's wonderful and I learned a lot reading them.

I'm not knowledgeable about smartcards or computers, therefore . . .

Questions:

How long does the data stay on the smartcard, i.e., how often must it be downloaded to keep a complete record of my data? Does it just rollover day by day?

If I download my data to Encore Pro software, does it erase the data from the smartcard?

I'm to return to the sleep center in 2 weeks so they can check for any problems and for compliance. I'm wondering if they will have 2 weeks' info available to them even if I've been downloading the data from the smartcard. The person I'm working with appears to be a major control freak and I suspect she'll not be crazy (at least initially) about me having my own daily info. from the smartcard.

I'll let them know (will probably take the reports in with my sleep log) but don't want to screw up their ability to do what they want/need to do for their records and for insurance.

Thanks to everyone for all the great help received through so many of your posts!!

[SelfSeeker]

Hi Cathy,

Seven sessions (naps/nights) are recorded of full detail and upto 180 days of summery info.

This is what I got from the respironics site:

Display: 7 and 30 day averages
SmartCard: 6 months at 3 usage sessions per day, 7 days in-depth analysis

When you are downloading your data, at the end of the download it will ask if you want to delete the data. If you say yes, then it will delete, if you say no, then the data will be kept.

Download your data at home, do not erase the card, incase they erase the data. They will have no clue that you have read the card.

[rested gal]

Cathy, if your machine is a straight cpap machine (not an autopap) usually the ONLY thing any DME or doctor is interested in looking at from the Smart Card is "compliance" (to see if you've been using the machine at least 4 hours a night, 5 nights a week.)

If your machine is an autopap for a temporary trial (couple of weeks to a month) to find the "best" pressure to put you on when they take away the autopap and hand you a straight cpap machine, they will also glance at the "90%" pressure number.

They can see those things (compliance and average 90% number) in the "Summary" report. So, the Summary Report is probably the ONLY thing they will ever look at from the download of the Smart Card.

SelfSeeker said: "When you are downloading your data, at the end of the download it will ask if you want to delete the data. If you say yes, then it will delete, if you say no, then the data will be kept." is true, BUT that question and that action (leaving the data intact on the card) will happen ONLY if you have already changed the default setting for how Encore Pro works.

If you have simply installed Encore Pro and are doing downloads without changing that setting, then the data on the card WILL automatically be erased every time you do a download. And you won't be asked. That has to be changed in your computer. It can't be changed from a page in the Encore program itself.

Here's how to change the setting so it will ask you each time, the way SelfSeeker described:

In your computer, go to:

C:\Program Files\Respironics\Encore Pro\Utilities

In that Utilities folder, you'll see two files called:

"Don't erase data after download.reg"

and

"Erase data after download.reg"

Doubleclick the little icon in front of the file called:
"Don't erase data after download.reg"

A "Registry Editor" window will pop up, asking you:

"Are you sure you want to add the information (etc.) to the registry?" Click "Yes".

From then on when you do a download, it will be like SelfSeeker described. You'll be asked if you want to delete the data. Tell it not to. Then the data will all be there on the card when the DME downloads it. As SelfSeeker said, there will be no indication of any kind that you've been downloading data and looking at your data all along.

When I say "it will all be there", I don't mean that every night of "Daily Details" will be there, as that is overwritten every so often no matter what. Even if you never downloaded it at all or never erased it, the card can't hold more than a week or so of "Daily Details" if you're using your machine regularly every night. Newer details overwrite the older as it fills up, no matter what.

Safest thing to do if you don't want to take any chance of having the DME get uppity with you is go into the Utilities folder and doubleclick:

"Don't erase data after download.reg"

Then do as SelfSeeker said...when you download your card and it asks... don't delete.