What's appropriate to ask of DME?

pjwalman · Post by **pjwalman** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 4:38 am

I am midway into my fourth night of using CPAP. (I say midway since it's now almost 3:30, I've been awake since 1:00, and I dont' have to get up for work until 5:30.) I'm not awake because of machine issues but because I kept waking up (from what I assume was very light sleep) feeling short of breath (like I'd just forgotten to breathe for a while and needed to suck some extra air in) or because I was making this weird "honking" exhale into my mask. After several of these, I got kind of panicky, and I think I haven't been able to go back to sleep because I don't want to have anymore of these "events", as the technician called them at the sleep study.

Now to my actual question. Sorry to ramble!

For some reason, the DME tech blocked access to most of the data capabilities of my machine, so pretty much all I can review each morning is number of sessions and total hours of use. Although I don't have an official appointment until Friday for the first reading of my SmartCard, I have been lying in bed thinking that I'd like to show up tomorrow with my card to ask them if they'd change the setting so I can know if my perception of tonight being filled with "events" is accurate or not. That's something I will be able to glean from the machine data. Right? Because the price they are charging me for the equipment they've provided is pretty much double what I would pay here on CPAP, I assume they're justifying that charge by saying that they're providing me "customer service" in addition to the "free" readings of my SmartCard at 1 week, 1 month, 6 months, and 1 year.

Do you think showing up without an appointment and asking them to change my data setting would be an appropriate request or should I just cool my heels until Friday and not ask for something outside of what they've said they will provide?

Thank you for your input!

Peggy

alnhwrd · Post by **alnhwrd** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 4:51 am

Yes, it is very appropriate for you to do this. It is your machine, your therapy, and your medical record. And they are working for you, not the other way around.

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 5:08 am

Assuming that Respironics is similar to Resmed, if you go thru your Users Manual you should find some mention of AHI/Leak feature or advanced/detailed patient menu IF ordered by the doctor. With the Resmeds it clearly states that access to this advanced patient menu is to be made available only if the doctor orders.

My experience has been that many doctors aren't even aware that feature is available and/or that access has be included in the equipment order. So it is a reasonable request for you to make to your DME supplier and if they say they cannot provide that access then just call your sleep doctor or doctor who ordered your equipment and ask him to FAX your DME the order to provide you w/access to it.

NightHawkeye · Post by **NightHawkeye** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 5:10 am

pjwalman wrote:For some reason, the DME tech blocked access to most of the data capabilities of my machine, so pretty much all I can review each morning is number of sessions and total hours of use.

It's really sad when DME's do that. I'd recommend that you simply tell them to change the setting so that you get full information display. It's your therapy and you have every right to monitor it.

pjwalman wrote:Although I don't have an official appointment until Friday for the first reading of my SmartCard, I have been lying in bed thinking that I'd like to show up tomorrow with my card to ask them if they'd change the setting so I can know if my perception of tonight being filled with "events" is accurate or not.

Folks in similar situations have found that DME's will not change pressure settings without a prescription from the physician. At the very least though, you should request they provide you with full data reports for your first nights of therapy, including minute-by-minute charts showing any events you may have had. That way you will be in a much better position to understand your own therapy and make adjustments when appropriate.

Remember, it's your therapy, Peggy, and no one else will be nearly so concerned about optimizing it as you will be.

Regards,
Bill

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 5:14 am

I agree that it is well w/in your rights to request a download and printout of your data at reasonable intervals. I'm sorry, I forgot to include that in my original reply. NightHawkEye and AlnHwrd are quite correct about that.

NightHawkeye · Post by **NightHawkeye** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 6:10 am

Peggy, it is entirely appropriate for you to show up at the DME unannounced.

The DME is just a business establishment. Treat the folks there about like you would at any other store. You're the customer and you are entitled to the service you're paying for. You're also entitled to the same consideration and respect that the folks at your DME expect you to show them.

Regards,
Bill

trice54 · Post by **trice54** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 6:24 am

Last week when I was at the DME for an appt, a man came in and told the receptionist he was having some problems with his machine and the receptionist fit him right in with someone to help him out. So hopefully you will have a similar experience! As many have said, YOU are the customer and they are supposed to serve you. Good luck...Trice

GumbyCT · Post by **GumbyCT** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 6:50 am

Agreeing with the others here - I will add that anything that affects my sleep takes a priority - you should handle this the same way.

Have an open & honest discussion with your DME, tell her/him what is going on, what YOU are thinking & feeling, what your experience was, & ask that the display be unlocked.

For me, this would set the pace for how I handled future interactions (if any) with this DME. If you strike out, do NOT be afraid to contact your doctor to let him/her know just what is going on. The doc may not be aware how the dme works. Above all do not be afraid to find out your options by contacting your insurance provider.

The display you are requesting access to is very easy to display - so don't let the DME tell you there is some kind of vodoo involved.

In fact, put on you reading glasses, get comfy and Start at the Yellow Lite bulb - Our Collective Wisdom
viewtopic/t14303/New-To-CPAPtalkcom-Cli ... tbulb.html
cpaptalk-articles.php

READ cpaptalk.com FAQ
cpaptalk-faq.php

For Acronyms & Definitions
http://www.sleepnet.com/definition.html

Learn to search
use Google & the syntax "search words" site:http://www.cpaptalk.com

And if you have more question, post them.

Be sure to let us know how you made out.
Good Luck,
GumbyCT

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): DME

pjwalman · Post by **pjwalman** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 6:50 am

Thank you all for your replies! I will march in today with confidence then, rather than slinking in as if I'm imposing.

Peggy

GumbyCT · Post by **GumbyCT** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 6:55 am

GumbyCT wrote:I think I pressed the wrong button - but I like the way I think, ha.

BarryKaraoke · Post by **BarryKaraoke** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 6:55 am

pjwalman wrote:I'd like to show up tomorrow with my card to ask them if they'd change the setting so I can know if my perception of tonight being filled with "events" is accurate or not. That's something I will be able to glean from the machine data. Right?

The other option is to change the setting yourself so you can view the data. I don't have your machine, but I do know that the procedure to do so is readily available. It would save you the trip to the DME and the need to explain/argue your case. If in the future they ask how this happened, just tell them you changed it...it's not illegal and it is your machine & therapy.

Besides. If your DME is like most DME's...I would bet $100 they won't even notice.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 6:59 am

Peggy, welcome to the message board!

As the others have said, there's absolutely nothing wrong with walking into your DME's office with your machine in hand, to ask them to turn on the feature called "Show AHI/Leak" so that you can see those statistics in the machine's LCD window.

However, be prepared to have them tell you, "We can't do that unless the doctor orders it." I think it's silly not to let that feature be "On", but that's the answer you might hear. May depend on who happens to be working in the office when you go in.

Peggy, check your Private Messages - the button at upper right of this web page.

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 8:45 am

The appropriate thing to ask, as Den would say, "Is this my therapy or yours?" ... Then say, "give me the access to MY damn data mister!".

... or just forget about the DME cuz if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself (check RGs PM).

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 9:08 am

Den would also say......"Why not just post the configuration information and let Peggy have the information she needs?"

Some information also found here:

http://www.cpap-supply.com/Articles.asp?ID=130

Den

Menu for M Series Auto

1. Hold down the <- -> buttons while plugging in the power on the back, wait for 2 beeps, release buttons.
2. Press the + key. <- -> buttons move to next field, -/+ keys decrement/increment
3. Check the following field(s):

-Therapy Mode = (CPAP/Auto)

-Auto:Max = (default=20.0cm)

-Auto:Min = (default=4.0cm)

-C-Flex Setting = 2 (options are off, 1, 2 or 3)

-AutoRamp Time = (options are 05 to 45 min)

-AutoRamp Pressure = cm (4cm->AutoMin)

-Mask Alert Feature = On (On/Off)

-Auto Off Feature = Off (On/off)

-Split Night Time = Off (off, 120, 180, 240)

-Show AHI/Leak Feature = On (On/Off)

Press On/Off button to exit.

==========Resetting LCD Display Data====================

To reset LCD Therapy data (does NOT erase any data from SmartCard):

1. Hold down the (<-) (->) buttons while plugging in the power on the back,
wait for 2 beeps or 5 seconds, release buttons.
2. Press the (->) key and navigate to Therapy screen.
3. Press and HOLD down the (-) minus key for 5 seconds and/or until therapy data is reset to Zero.
4. Press the (->) key to scroll back to main menu, press (+) key to enter Setup or
On/Off button to exit.

MrGrumpy · Post by **MrGrumpy** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 10:29 am

[quote="pjwalman"]I am midway into my fourth night of using CPAP. (I say midway since it's now almost 3:30, I've been awake since 1:00, and I dont' have to get up for work until 5:30.) I'm not awake because of machine issues but because I kept waking up (from what I assume was very light sleep) feeling short of breath (like I'd just forgotten to breathe for a while and needed to suck some extra air in) or because I was making this weird "honking" exhale into my mask. After several of these, I got kind of panicky, and I think I haven't been able to go back to sleep because I don't want to have anymore of these "events", as the technician called them at the sleep study.

Now to my actual question. Sorry to ramble!

For some reason, the DME tech blocked access to most of the data capabilities of my machine, so pretty much all I can review each morning is number of sessions and total hours of use. Although I don't have an official appointment until Friday for the first reading of my SmartCard, I have been lying in bed thinking that I'd like to show up tomorrow with my card to ask them if they'd change the setting so I can know if my perception of tonight being filled with "events" is accurate or not. That's something I will be able to glean from the machine data. Right? Because the price they are charging me for the equipment they've provided is pretty much double what I would pay here on CPAP, I assume they're justifying that charge by saying that they're providing me "customer service" in addition to the "free" readings of my SmartCard at 1 week, 1 month, 6 months, and 1 year.

Do you think showing up without an appointment and asking them to change my data setting would be an appropriate request or should I just cool my heels until Friday and not ask for something outside of what they've said they will provide?

Thank you for your input!

Peggy

What's appropriate to ask of DME?

What's appropriate to ask of DME?

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