Version 2 of PAPer Bill of Rights

[sleepguide]

Please find below a revised version of the PAPer Bill of Rights I proposed about a month ago. It is an attempt to maintain true to the spirit of the original, while incorporating criticism received and other feedback. If you think this is a bad idea in general, and not something I should pursue at all, please say that. But if you think I should go forward with publicizing this, even if only after substantial revision to this latest draft, please say that, too. Thanks for your input.

Mike


PAPer Bill of Rights (excerpted from SleepGuide.com -- http://www.sleepguide.com/profiles/blog ... ts-version)

Article I
The objective of physicians and clinicians should be more than to get their patients to use positive airway pressure devices; it should be to strive for the devices to be used properly so that the patient achieves an optimal AHI and a leak rate within manufacturers' established ranges for the mask being used

Article II
All new machines developed by manufacturers should (i) be data-capable so that patients have some objective measure of their treatment's success; (ii) be equipped with an adjustable and integrated heated humidifier; (iii) include wireless technology capable of transmitting detailed efficacy data to patients at their option

Article III
For otherwise healthy patients, positive airway pressure devices should not require a doctor's prescription

Article IV
A user must not have to settle for a mask until it is both comfortable and effective for that user, and should be permitted to switch up masks at the sole expense of the manufacturer up to a certain number of masks per year; old masks should be recovered by the manufacturer as a hedge against fraud, and distributed to needy individuals/families

Article V
Physicians should inform patients of the existence of out-of-pocket "comfort" features and accessories such as auto-adjusting machines; fleece sleeves for hoses and tubing; etc.

Article VI
Insurers and Medicare should inform patients of the need to replace masks, tubing, mask cushions and other equipment, and the fact that they will pay for the parts to be replaced, and on what schedule they will do so

[hose head]

"Article V
Physicians should inform patients of the existence of out-of-pocket "comfort" features and accessories such as auto-adjusting machines; fleece sleeves for hoses and tubing; etc. "
I do not think my auto-adjusting machine is a "comfort" feature. It provides me with the best pressure for my therapy. Is EPR or C-flex also a "comfort" feature?

[OldLincoln]

I agree with hose head. I had very painful bloating that disappeared with the auto-pap. My son has had 2 fundoplication surgeries and Kaiser determined he needs auto pap as a first machine. There are medical reasons to require an auto.

Also, with CPAP having a 50% compliance and APAP over 70%, I have to ask why APAP's aren't the standard machines.

[nanuke]

PAPer Bill of Rights (excerpted from SleepGuide.com -- http://www.sleepguide.com/profiles/blog ... ts-version)

VERY WELL SAID! I'm going to meet with the DME at my Dr's office this Friday and in addition to arming myself with all the info I have acquired here I will print out the bill and include it in my arsenal.

Thanks Mike.

SLEEP WELL

[nomoore]

I don't agree with article III. How is a DME to know if the patient is otherwise healthy? Either make it available to anyone or require a prescription. However I do believe that all doctors should be educated on the use of Auto machines so as to bypass an EXPENSIVE sleep study for the people who don't have the means to pay for a study. I think it should be treated more like an insulin pump where the patient is taught how to adjust settings and self-administer the treatment. Then, if necessary, the patient can seek further support from a sleep specialist. As we all know here the concepts that work for most patients is not difficult to understand. Of course things can get complicated when lots of centrals are introduced. But that's when you get a sleep doctor involved.

[sleepguide]

how about this as a fix for Article III:

"Positive airway pressure devices should not require a doctor's prescription unless a patient has a history of other respiratory problems or health conditions that would make use of a positive airway pressure device dangerous."

SleepGuide Mike

[RipVW]

Also, with CPAP having a 50% compliance and APAP over 70%, I have to ask why APAP's aren't the standard machines.

Hear Hear! I predict the day will come when all CPAPS are autos. I think it's just a matter of time. Hope so, anyway!