Laws about Respiratory Therapists

Babette · Post by **Babette** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 2:22 pm

Good on you, Den, for posting that!!!!!

BTW, KansasRT, are you in Wichita? I'm from there, and have standing invitations to visit. I could do a fly-in consultation...

Cheers,
Barbara

BrianRT · Post by **BrianRT** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 2:23 pm

Judy,
Sounds like "fabricator" might be true because.....

In RT land there are 2 credentials, CRT and RRT, you are either one or the other (RRT is an advanced credential with additional training in neonatal, PFT etc.)

It's a little presumptous to use BOTH of them, though. It's like saying "Jane Doe LPN RN"

Or to use a nonmedical metaphor...

"Jane Doe A.A.S B.S. M.A. Phd"

It's redundant and implied.

So what do you think a fair price would be for card reading, printed report and interpretation? $20? $10? I'm just curious. We won't be starting that up here since they WAY overcharge on the PAP's but who knows, maybe I could start a consulting firm

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 2:27 pm

NOW you know WHY Respironics and ResMed have pulled their software from the market......because they're in cahoots with the "medical establishment" to help them line their pockets with YOUR MONEY!!!

They don't give a DAMN about your health......it's ALL ABOUT MONEY......YOURS!!!

Den

Babette · Post by **Babette** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 2:33 pm

Now now, Den, you're letting the day get to you. Remember, it's Miller Time soon.

I know it's MY MONEY, but it's also MY TIME, and MY STRESS LEVEL. At some point, it's not worth the fight. I like to TRY to pick my battles, though sometimes they are thrust upon me.

Cheers to all! Go get a beer!
B.

DP · Post by DP » Fri Jun 15, 2007 2:46 pm

I am sorry, but an RPSGT will be much better qualified to work with OSA patients, patients with multiple sleep problems such as OSA and insomnia or PLMS than an RT.

Just my opinion of course. The problem is that there is a lack of RPSGT's in the country and most are running sleep labs. An RPST/RT would be the best of the best of course.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 2:48 pm

Babette wrote:Now now, Den, you're letting the day get to you. Remember, it's Miller Time soon.

I know it's MY MONEY, but it's also MY TIME, and MY STRESS LEVEL. At some point, it's not worth the fight. I like to TRY to pick my battles, though sometimes they are thrust upon me.

Cheers to all! Go get a beer!
B.

Babs,

I'm just relieving MY stress level by venting.....
(this software issue, with these clowns, has got me riled)

But, it IS Friday. < sigh >

Have a good one.

Den

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 3:21 pm

DP wrote:I am sorry, but an RPSGT will be much better qualified to work with OSA patients, patients with multiple sleep problems such as OSA and insomnia or PLMS than an RT.

Just my opinion of course. The problem is that there is a lack of RPSGT's in the country and most are running sleep labs. An RPST/RT would be the best of the best of course.

Or ....maybe an RG would do!

(Just kidding. Really, I'm joking. I didn't mean it!! )

Babette · Post by **Babette** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 3:21 pm

DP wrote:I am sorry, but an RPSGT will be much better qualified to work with OSA patients, patients with multiple sleep problems such as OSA and insomnia or PLMS than an RT.

Just my opinion of course. The problem is that there is a lack of RPSGT's in the country and most are running sleep labs. An RPST/RT would be the best of the best of course.

What's an RPSGT? Or even a RPST/RT? How do I find one?

Just curious,
B.

Babette · Post by **Babette** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 3:25 pm

Yeah, but I have to fly back east to get an RG...

LOL,
B.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 3:30 pm

Babette wrote:
DP wrote:I am sorry, but an RPSGT will be much better qualified to work with OSA patients, patients with multiple sleep problems such as OSA and insomnia or PLMS than an RT.

Just my opinion of course. The problem is that there is a lack of RPSGT's in the country and most are running sleep labs. An RPST/RT would be the best of the best of course.
What's an RPSGT? Or even a RPST/RT? How do I find one?

Just curious,
B.

A Google search will tell ya.

Registered Polysomnographic Technologist

Den

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 3:58 pm

Well, my sleep lab manager AND owner is an RRT, RPSGT. And SHE is a real GEM! (I'm not for sure on this but I "believe" that her husband is one of the sleep pulmonologists - not the one "I" like tho).

Well, Brian, darned if I have the slightest idea of what a good RT gets paid! If you hadn't thrown in the "interpretation" and it was just a matter of one of the office staff downloading the data and printing out the report and handing it to the patient I'd say $5 -$10. That would kinda depend on how many pages ended up getting printed out.

I'd RELUCTANTLY have to say that given the practice of doctor's office calls now being billed on a time slot basis you'd probably charge on a time basis for the time taken for the interpretation and any questions asked and answered. And I do NOT mean at physician rates but rather at a reasonable rate based on RT hourly wages/rates.

I'd have to be darn well impressed w/an RT and respect their expertise and opinion BEFORE "I" would pay more than $5 for the printout 'cause so far "my" DME supplier's RT is NOT worth 1 cent per hour to me. I wouldn't waste my breath asking for her interpretation nor would I waste my time or breath asking her opinion.

Now my sleep lab manager??? I'd pay $35-$50 w/o batting an eye IF I needed something interpreted from my data. I "know" from her I would get "extras"! Tidbits of info and frank answers to my questions plus.

AND if you're interested in what I think the DME's RT should charge the sleep lab or sleep doctor for downloading, printing out the data.
ESPECIALLY if the RT had to interpret the data as well??? PLENTY!!!! As far as I'm concerned any self-respecting sleep lab would have its own staff AND doctors CAPABLE of interpreting these data reports. If they don't, then let them pay thru the nose.

My sleep lab has the software for the Resmeds, Respironics and are quite capable and able and qualified to interpret that data. I don't know about the sleep doctors being able to do so but I do know the lab manager is and she is training others.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 4:05 pm

Slinky wrote:Well, my sleep lab manager AND owner is an RRT, RPSGT. And SHE is a real GEM! (I'm not for sure on this but I "believe" that her husband is one of the sleep pulmonologists - not the one "I" like tho).

Well, Brian, darned if I have the slightest idea of what a good RT gets paid! If you hadn't thrown in the "interpretation" and it was just a matter of one of the office staff downloading the data and printing out the report and handing it to the patient I'd say $5 -$10. That would kinda depend on how many pages ended up getting printed out.

I'd RELUCTANTLY have to say that given the practice of doctor's office calls now being billed on a time slot basis you'd probably charge on a time basis for the time taken for the interpretation and any questions asked and answered. And I do NOT mean at physician rates but rather at a reasonable rate based on RT hourly wages/rates.

I'd have to be darn well impressed w/an RT and respect their expertise and opinion BEFORE "I" would pay more than $5 for the printout 'cause so far "my" DME supplier's RT is NOT worth 1 cent per hour to me. I wouldn't waste my breath asking for her interpretation nor would I waste my time or breath asking her opinion.

Now my sleep lab manager??? I'd pay $35-$50 w/o batting an eye IF I needed something interpreted from my data. I "know" from her I would get "extras"! Tidbits of info and frank answers to my questions plus.

AND if you're interested in what I think the DME's RT should charge the sleep lab or sleep doctor for downloading, printing out the data.
ESPECIALLY if the RT had to interpret the data as well??? PLENTY!!!! As far as I'm concerned any self-respecting sleep lab would have its own staff AND doctors CAPABLE of interpreting these data reports. If they don't, then let them pay thru the nose.

My sleep lab has the software for the Resmeds, Respironics and are quite capable and able and qualified to interpret that data. I don't know about the sleep doctors being able to do so but I do know the lab manager is and she is training others.

Copy this link into you browser and put the h t t p : / / in front of it.

swz.salary.com/salarywizard/layouthtmls/swzl_compresult_national_HC07000081.html

Den

DP · Post by DP » Fri Jun 15, 2007 4:39 pm

Well my fee is $35.00 for an office visit. My job includes reviewing sleep study results with patients. After giving the results CPAP therapy is fully explained as well as the CPAP titration study. After the study patients return back to see me where I then spend an hour or so educating and providing CPAP. I then follow-up with that patient via phone in 72 hours. If all is well another call in 2 weeks. If all is well another call in 1 month. If all is well then every six months from that point on. All my patients have access to my cell phone and I am available to them 24/7. We also give our patients 30 evaluation periods per mask at no charge. I establish a good relationship with our patients from the time they have their diagnostic sleep study. This is why our internal compliance rate is at 89%. BTW, I never charge when doing a mask swap, CPAP setup phone follow-ups, etc, only when reviewing test results.

BrianRT · Post by **BrianRT** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 6:19 pm

Well, FWIW.....the only thing we charge for is the equipment (which is overpriced anyway, but that's out of my hands LOL).

I'm usually the one who explains their PSG and titration to them as well since no one else has at that point

Smart cards, Resmed Autoscans, resetting machines, calibrating with my handy dandy digital manometer.....$0

Intensive mask fittings, refittings and equipment consulting.....$0

Phone call follow ups at various time frames....$0

Knowing your patient is taken care of and on their way to better health....PRICELESS!!

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 6:41 pm

Well, BOTH of you are priceless when compared to the RT in my CPAP DME supplier's office!!!!!

I would, of course, prefer Brian's "freebie" assistance and advice - BUT if I couldn't get the answers, information and assistance elsewhere I would gladly pay that $35 an hour. That certainly seems a fair rate for what you offer!!!!

By the way, I got all that "free" from my sleep lab manager after seeing my sleep doctor and getting some information from him as well. Since his office call wasn't any higher the time she spent w/me after seeing him I have to assume it was "free". Well, all that EXCEPT the followup calls. I was so frustrated w/my DME's RT right from the get-go that I was calling my sleep lab so there was no need for follow-up. They didn't have a chance before I was contacting them!